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SUNDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11614 July 19, 2020 Dhul-Qa’da 28, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

33 worksites shut for fl outing summer hours The Labour Inspection Department Amir wishes Kuwaiti leader good health of the Ministry of Administrative Muntazah, two Development, Labour and Social Aff airs has closed 33 worksites zHis Highness Sheikh Tamim holds telephone for violating rules of summertime working hours outdoors. Several conversations with Kuwaiti Amir and Crown Prince intensive inspection campaigns were other parks to carried out from July 5-16 to ensure compliance by companies operating in the country. Worksites flouting the rules were closed for three days. They were in Al Ebb, Al Wakrah, be ready by Rawdat Al Hamama, Al Kharaitiyat, Lusail, Umm Al Saneem, Al Kheesa, Al Thumama, Azghawa and Al Khor. Page 5 next year-end MoPH reports 103,023 total Covid-19 recoveries zConstruction of Al Gharrafa and Umm Al The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported yesterday 410 new Saneem parks progressing well confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) and 426 recoveries in the last 24 hours, bringing the total he construction of Al Gharrafa destrian and bicycle lanes and 208 car number of people recovered from and Umm Al Saneem parks and parking lots. the disease in Qatar to 103,023. The Tdevelopment of the Rawdat Al The “charming design” of the parks MoPH also announced one new Khail Park (Al Muntazah Park) will be will attract visitors and tourists be- death of an 81-year-old patient, who completed within the fourth quarter of cause of the large spaces allocated for Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was receiving the necessary medical 2021, according to information avail- green areas, an Ashghal offi cial had care. Page 2 able on the Public Works Authority said at the time of the announcement. is Highness the Amir Sheikh The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Crown Prince to take over some con- (Ashghal) website. Ashghal follows a green building Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah was ad- stitutional jurisdictions of His High- Covid reveals fragility of In November 2019, Ashghal had an- concept and has plans to plant trees to Hheld yesterday evening a tel- mitted to hospital yesterday to un- ness the Amir, temporarily.” nounced that it had started work on the ensure environmental protection. The ephone conversation with the Amir dergo a number of medical checkups. Sheikh Sabah has ruled the Opec our world: UN chief three projects in a move aimed at provid- parks will have sports equipment and of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad The Kuwaiti Amiri Diwan an- oil producer and US ally since 2006. Coronavirus has revealed the “fragile ing more space for residents to spend lei- play areas for children of all ages, in- al-Jaber al-Sabah during which he in- nounced that an Amiri Order has Last year, Sheikh Sabah was ad- skeleton” of societies and could push sure time and engage in exercises. cluding those with special needs. quired after his health, praying to Al- been issued assigning Crown Prince mitted to hospital in the United 100 million people into extreme The three parks will provide social, Each park will feature two children’s lah Almighty to bestow upon the Ku- Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber States while on an offi cial visit there. poverty, United Nations Secretary- environmental and recreational benefi ts play areas. The new design will en- waiti leader good health and wellness. al-Sabah to take over some consti- He returned to the Gulf Arab state in General Antonio Guterres said to the public, as well as diff erent facili- hance the physical and mental well- His Highness the Amir also held tutional jurisdictions of the Amir of October. yesterday. Speaking on the 102nd ties catering to the needs of visitors of all being of children by providing play- a telephone conversation with the Kuwait, temporarily. Kuwait’s central bank governor birthday anniversary of the late Nelson ages with a distinct green environment. ing equipment for two diff erent age Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) issued a statement yesterday after Mandela - South Africa’s first black Rawdat Al Khail Park, popularly groups, 2-5 years and 6-12 years. al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah during quoted a statement issued yesterday news of the Amir’s hospitalisation president - Guterres said coronavirus known as Al Muntazah Park, is located The arrangements have been made which the Amir checked on the health by Minister of the Amiri Diwan Af- stressing the strength and stability of was “shining a spotlight” on global on C-Ring Road. Spread over an area by taking children with special needs of Kuwaiti Amir, praying to Allah Al- fairs in Kuwait Sheikh Ali Jarrah al- the dinar currency, which is pegged to injustice. “We have been brought to of 140,000sqm, it will include a green into consideration and to promote mighty to bestow upon the Kuwaiti Sabah as saying: “An Amiri order was a weighted basket of the country’s big our knees - by a microscopic virus. arena spread over 105,000sqm with children’s healthy growth and devel- leader good health and wellness. issued assigning His Highness the trading partners. The pandemic has demonstrated the 1,250 trees, 1,300m of pedestrian and opment, according to Ashghal. fragility of our world.” Page 10 bicycle paths and 401 car parking slots. The parks will encourage visitors to Located on Hayr Al Zahra Street engage in physical activities by making Two killed at airport and Waab Lebarg Street, the Umm sport equipment available in two dif- Al Saneem Park will occupy an area ferent areas. Besides, lanes for joggers after face mask thefts of about 130,000sqm. It will feature and bicycle riders will be also available. Two people were killed at 102,000sqm of green arena, 740 trees, These facilities will encourage visitors Doha Metro wins prestigious Johannesburg airport yesterday 1,200m of pedestrian and bicycle lanes to use the parks throughout the year. during a shootout between police and 378 car parking slots. The three parks will also ensure en- and thieves who stole face masks Al Gharfafa Park, located on Umm vironmental protection through im- and cellphones. South Africa has the Al Zuber Street in Al Gharrafa, is to be plementing green building standards. CIHT International Award highest number of coronavirus cases constructed on an area of 50,000sqm. Trees will be planted in line with the on the continent with nearly 5,000 Its highlights are a green arena of Qatari environment and these include deaths and 350,000 infections. “A 36,000sqm, 307 trees, 650m of pe- wild Ghaff , Samar and Sidra. atar Rail’s Doha Metro project with a diversity of experience and group of suspects entered the cargo has received the Chartered opinion recognised Doha Metro’s section at the O. R. Tambo Airport QInstitute of Highways and outstanding achievement by looking and held the staff at gunpoint at one Transportation (CIHT) International for excellence from the start of the of the warehouses,” police said. Award 2020, which recognises out- project through to implementation standing examples of highways and and execution. GNA fighters head for transportation infrastructure or Judges, in particular, cited Qatar’s services from outside the UK and Ire- clearly articulated vision for an in- Sirte battlefront land. tegrated transport network and Qa- Libya’s internationally recognised Doha Metro won the award after tar Rail’s well-thought-out planning Government of National Accord being shortlisted alongside mega and design, eff ective engagement and (GNA) yesterday moved fighters projects in the US, Africa, Asia the communication with stakeholders closer to Sirte, a gateway to Libya’s Balkans, Qatar Rail said in a state- and successful delivery on perform- main oil terminals that the GNA ment yesterday. ance measures. says it plans to recapture from the The established and long-running With regard to the project infra- The judges were also impressed eastern-based Libyan National Army CIHT Awards opened their doors to structure, the judges awarded the with the quality of execution, with (LNA). Witnesses and GNA military international projects for the fi rst Doha Metro for its originality and the architectural design and the use commanders said a column of about time last year, making Doha Metro innovation, the use of environmen- of materials and technologies, the 200 vehicles moved eastwards from the fi rst project in the region to win tal and sustainable practices, the de- speediness of project delivery, and Misrata along the Mediterranean coast this prestigious award, the statement monstrable employee and user safety with the overall positive internal and towards the town of Tawergha, about The parks will provide social, environmental and recreational benefits to the noted. standards and the demonstrable ben- external feedback the project has re- a third of the way to Sirte. Page 9 public. (Artist’s rendition) A panel of impartial expert judges efi ts to the industry and society. ceived. To Page 8 Protest against BLM mural QRCS Adhahi project to benefi t 125,000 in 6 countries

nder the theme of ‘Off er He congratulated the Qatari peo- authorities in the host countries to Your Sacrifi ce’, Qatar Red ple and government, the Muslim secure high-standard animals. The UCrescent Society (QRCS) Nation and the whole world on the whole process of slaughter, distri- has launched its annual Adhahi approach of the Eid al-Adha. “This bution and selection of the neediest Qurbani project for the year 1441 occasion brings happiness and benefi ciaries is well-supervised,” AH, which allows those wishing to friendliness to our lives,” he added. he said. “Everyone who intends to observe the Islamic sacrifi ce ritual “It is when the rich observe the re- off er sacrifi ce this year is invited to do so easily and on time. ligious ritual to please Allah, Glori- to visit QRCS’s donation collec- This year, a total of QR6.5mn fi ed be He. At the same time, it is a tion agents at shopping centres or worth of sacrifi ces is available to be source of delight for all the families use any other means of donation as purchased by Muslims. Then, the that do not have enough food due to early as possible. You can select the meat of Adhahi sacrifi ces will be poverty or displacement. Recently, The QRCS building. animal and country and then pay distributed to more than 125,000 thousands of families have lost their the value. This way, we will be able needy benefi ciaries in Qatar and fi ve income because of the Covid-19 prescribed timing, to ensure the to ensure the timely slaughter and other countries, QRCS has said in a pandemic and the resulting lock- due performance and reward of the distribution of animals. statement. down.” ritual. “In Qatar, Widam Food Compa- The campaign was announced The benefi ts of the project, he Al-Awadi emphasised QRCS’s ny was contracted to provide and by Yousef Mohamed al-Awadi, di- explained, are twofold: on the one reputation as a widely trusted slaughter 1,000 heads of sheep, rector of Resource Mobilisation at hand, those off ering the sacrifi ce humanitarian provider that have in accordance with the applica- QRCS. “Thank Allah that we have will fi nd it easy to purchase the access to vulnerable groups, even ble legal and health requirements. launched the third edition of the animal via the safe means of dona- in the hardest-to-reach zones, The overall cost is QR520,000. Adhahi Qurbani project,” said al- tion made available by QRCS. On including countries affected by Then, QRCS’s staff and volunteers Awadi. “It has become an integral the other hand, the needy will re- natural disasters or armed con- will distribute the meat rations An off icer from the New York Police Department attempts to detain a protester smearing part of the standard projects im- ceive suffi cient shares of meat in a flict. to 1,200 poor families and 6,000 paint on the Black Lives Matter (BLM) mural outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in plemented every year by QRCS for safe manner. All of the process will “We work together with fellow workers, or 13,200 beneficiaries in Manhattan, New York City, US, yesterday. those in need everywhere.” be implemented at the religiously national societies and government total. To Page 4 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, July 19, 2020 QATAR

MoPH reports 103,023 QGP participates in global study total Covid recoveries on severity of Covid-19

QNA atar Foundation (QF)’s linked to Covid-19 severity will Doha Qatar Genome Pro- be very valuable in drug devel- Qgramme is the fi rst and opment. only active participant from an “Now that we now know that he Ministry of Public Arab country in the Covid-19 genetics is a big factor in deter- Health (MoPH) reported Host Genetics Initiative (HGI), mining Covid-19 severity, this Tyesterday 410 new con- a global study to elucidate the information can help the health- fi rmed cases of coronavirus role of host genetic factors in the care sector prioritise which (Covid-19) and 426 recoveries susceptibility and severity of the group of individuals should be in the last 24 hours, bringing the Sars-CoV-2 virus pandemic. fi rst in line to get a vaccine once total number of people recov- Results from the latest round one is developed.” ered from the disease in Qatar to of the global study show strong If researchers are able to identi- 103,023. evidence of genetics playing a fy exactly which gene is responsi- The MoPH also announced role in Covid-19 severity, QF has ble for Covid-19 severity, it could one new death of an 81-year-old said in a statement. be a potential game-changer in patient, who was receiving the “Why does a 17-year-old with swiftly determining which pa- necessary medical care. no underlying health conditions tients are high-risk and need more The MoPH said in a statement succumb to Covid-19 while a aggressive treatment. Previously, on Covid-19 developments in 75-year-old great-grandmother Dr Andrea Ganna: this study identifi ed a variation Qatar, all new cases have been makes a full recovery? The wide Dr Hamdi Mbarek : “The contribution at another spot in the human ge- sent into isolation and are re- variation in severity makes it seem “We are glad to have of Qatar Genome to nome. The identifi ed spot con- ceiving necessary healthcare. like they did not have the same contributed to this Covid-19 HGI is very sisted of the gene that determines Measures to tackle Covid-19 disease, except they did. One of initiative with the genomes important because it blood type. Patients with Type A in Qatar have succeeded in fl at- the most mysterious features of of an Arab population, adds diversity to the blood, for example, were found to tening the curve and limiting this disease, which has killed more which has added valuable initiative and highlights be at greater risk of being severely the spread of the virus and the than half a million people globally, diversity to the study. the importance of aff ected by Covid-19. number of new daily cases and is the diff erence in severity. Some The diversity in the including populations “We are glad to have contrib- hospital admissions is continu- people don’t even show symp- participating genomes which are traditionally uted to this initiative with the ing to decline each week. toms, some die and many more strongly indicates that unrepresented in genetic genomes of an Arab population, Qatar’s proactive and exten- over in Qatar as every day be- zAvoid close contact with are somewhere in the middle,” the Covid-19 indiscriminately research, but still highly which has added valuable di- sive testing of suspected cases tween 50 and 100 people are ad- others, crowded places and con- statement notes. aff ects populations from impacted by the Covid-19 versity to the study. The diver- has enabled the country to iden- mitted to hospital with moderate fi ned closed spaces where other Age, sex and underlying health all around the world” pandemic” sity in the participating genomes tify a high number of positive to severe Covid-19 symptoms. people congregate. conditions clearly play an im- strongly indicates that Covid-19 cases in the community. “Unless we follow all precau- zWearing a face mask. portant role. But geneticists tries in terms of genomes con- the global study show strong evi- indiscriminately aff ects popula- Qatar has one of the low- tionary measures, we may expe- zWashing hands regularly. believe the diff erence in sever- tributed from Europe. dence of genetics playing a role in tions from all around the world,” est Covid-19 death rates in the rience a second wave of the virus zMost importantly, it is vital ity could be linked to the natu- Qatar Genome Programme, Covid-19 severity. A site on Chro- added Dr Said Ismail, director of world. This is a result of: and see numbers increasing there that we continue to protect the ral variation in people’s genetic the initiative’s only active par- mosome 3 has been identifi ed to Qatar Genome Programme. zVery high quality of care are already signs of this happen- elderly and those with chronic code. This is what launched the ticipant from the Middle East, have a solid link to Covid-19 se- “QGP’s participation in this provided thorough the public ing in other countries around the medical conditions. Covid-19 HGI, led by Mark Daly has so far contributed with over verity. The identifi ed site is home study is a testament to QF’s healthcare sector for Covid-19 world,” the health ministry said. Anyone suff ering from Cov- and Andrea Ganna from the 13,000 genomic results. to six genes; hence it is not yet commitment to doing meaning- patients. “Avoid close contact with oth- id-19 symptoms should either Finnish Institute for Molecular “The contribution of Qa- possible to say exactly which one ful research. The Covid-19 HGI zYoung population. ers, crowded places and confi ned contact 16000 helpline or go Medicine and the Broad Institute tar Genome to Covid-19 HGI is of them infl uences the course of is proof of how crucial research zProactive testing to identify closed spaces where other peo- directly to one of the designated in Boston. very important because it adds Covid-19. Further investigations is in fi nding a way forward in cases early. ple aggregate. Now more than health centres to undergo the The initiative aims to bring to- diversity to the initiative and are underway to pinpoint exactly uncertain times. How research zExpanding hospital capac- ever, we must be careful and necessary checks at Muaither, gether the scientifi c community highlights the importance of in- which gene this is. must be resilient, and not be ity, especially intensive care, to protect the most vulnerable.” Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al to study the role of the human cluding populations which are Dr Hamdi Mbarek, a geneticist impeded by closed borders and ensure all patients receive the While the restrictions of Cov- Gharrafa. genome in explaining Covid-19 traditionally unrepresented in who led QGP’s participation, travel restrictions. Despite the medical care they need id-19 are gradually being lifted in This is important as the earlier susceptibility and severity. genetic research, but still highly said: “These results are very in- challenges, researchers world- zProtecting the elderly and Qatar, it is important for every- the disease is detected the eas- Twenty countries are currently impacted by the Covid-19 pan- teresting and timely. We now wide have found ways to come those with chronic diseases. one to play their role in control- ier it will be to receive the right contributing to the study, with demic,” said Dr Andrea Ganna, have a target region in the ge- together, build new ties and Even though restrictions are ling the virus by following pre- treatment and recover from the majority of studies being co-founder of the Covid-19 HGI nome, and the next challenge is collaborate like never before, being lifted, and numbers are cautionary measures: it. People are urged to visit the conducted in Europe (55%) and and group leader at the Institute to understand the link between all motivated by a single, com- declining, this does not mean zAdherence to physical dis- MoPH website for regular up- the US (28%). The UK (10%) and for Molecular Medicine, Finland. the six genes and Covid-19 se- mon goal: defeat Covid-19,” the that the Covid-19 pandemic is tancing. dates and new information. Italy (9%) are the top two coun- Results from the latest round of verity. Identifying the gene statement adds. Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 3 QATAR Gulf Times 4 Sunday, July 19, 2020 QATAR

Qatar condemns Iraq bombings HMC’s Tobacco Control Center holds atar has expressed its strong con- stance rejecting violence and terrorism re- demnation and denunciation of gardless of their motives and causes. Qthe two bombings that occurred in The statement expressed Qatar’s con- Basra and Saladin governorates in Iraq, and dolences to the families of victims as well resulted in deaths and injuries. as the government and people of Iraq, 2,600 consultations in four months In a statement yesterday, the Ministry wishing the wounded a speedy recovery. of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s fi rm - QNA Celebrates 3rd ing patients with treatment, tion’s mandated interna- anniversary as ‘WHO medications and psycholog- tional health agenda. Collaborating Center’ ical support. While social distanc- Offi cials from the centre ing precautions remain amad Medical Cor- have revealed that in the last in place, HMC’s Tobacco poration (HMC) has four months, between mid- Control Center will con- Hstressed that staff at March and mid-July, the tinue to offer telephone- its Tobacco Control Center staff have conducted over based services. The mis- have continued to off er sup- 2,600 consultations and sion of the centre is to port and treatment services support sessions with to- provide health and medical to tobacco-dependent pa- bacco-dependent patients, advice to the public on the tients wishing to quit smok- according to a press state- dangers of tobacco use, in- ing, despite the limitations ment by HMC. cluding the dangers of sec- imposed by the Covid-19 This milestone coincides ondhand smoke, in addi- pandemic. with the Tobacco Control tion to behavioural support The centre’s services, Center’s third anniversary HMC’s Tobacco Control Center. and counselling for those which are currently being of being a WHO Collaborat- wishing to quit the habit. provided over the telephone ing Center. In 2017, HMC’s fi rst in Qatar and the region. of universities and acade- For more information on as a precautionary meas- Tobacco Control Center WHO Collaborating Cent- mies, are designated to carry Tobacco Control Center or to ure to prevent the spread of was designated as a WHO ers, which also includes re- out activities in support of book a consultation, one can Covid-19, include provid- Collaborating Center, the search institutes and parts the World Health Organisa- call 40254981 or 50800959.

Food quality checks in Al Shamal municipality

Al Shamal Municipality, represented by the health control section in the Municipal Control Department, carried out 41 inspection checks at food establishments on Wednesday. The establishments’ compliance with health requirements was inspected during the checks, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said. Also, nine carcasses of animals were examined at the Al Shamal slaughterhouses along with 3,750kg of fish.

Dates festival at Al Meera branches from tomorrow

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Agricultural Aff airs Department (MME), in co-operation with Al Meera Consumer Goods Company, has announced the start of the 2020 local dates marketing festival at all branches of Al Meera from tomorrow. The MME has said the marketing of local dates is diff erent this year due to the precautionary and preventive measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19. Accord- ingly, all participating farms will display their dates at Al Meera branches at fixed prices.

QRCS project to benefi t 125,000 in 6 countries

From Page 1

“Internationally, QRCS and its partners will slaughter and distribute the Adhahi meat rations in fi ve countries: Pal- estine (the West Bank), Iraq, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. The number of animals to be distributed is 8,140 heads for the benefi t of 111,820 people. The Adhahi animals include 9,010 heads of sheep and goats and 130 cows. “Regarding the selection and payment, there are several ways that all meet the safety and preventive standards. There are QRCS agents at malls and shopping centres. You can pay online (www.qrcs.org.qa) or via the SMS page (app.qrcs. org.qa/adh). Also, you can con- tact the donor service hotline (66666364) or home collec- tion hotline (33998898). “To make a bank trans- fer, you have three options: Barwa Bank (IBAN: QA- 74BRWA0000000002000 00094353), QIB (IBAN: QA- 51QISB00000000011057519 0014) and QIIB (IBAN: QA- 66QIIB00000000111112666 6003). Or, you can visit QRCS’s headquarters (Corniche area),” al-Awadi concluded. Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 5 QATAR

Don’t heed rumours on fl ight cancellation, says Indian airline

s the Vande Bharat Mis- destinations in India yesterday. sion (VBM) contin- 6E 8715 left for Lucknow with Aues from Qatar, Indian 189 passengers, while 6E 8702 budget carrier IndiGo has ad- took off from HIA for Thiru- vised people not to heed ru- vananthapuram with 197 pas- mours about one of its sched- sengers and two infants and 6E uled repatriation flights getting 8713 left for Chennai with 200 cancelled. passengers and two infants. “Don’t fall prey to rumours Then, 6E 8719 departed from regarding cancellation of flight HIA for Hyderabad with 119 pas- 6E 8719 from Doha to Hydera- sengers and an infant, AI 1926 bad on 24th July. It is operat- left for Jaipur with 146 passen- ing as per schedule. Visit our gers, 6E 8717 headed to Mumbai official website for correct in- with 208 passengers and two formation,” the airline tweeted infants, and 6E 8706 left for Ko- yesterday. chi with 202 passengers and six The fl ight, which is part of infants. VBM, is scheduled to depart So far, 96 flights have been from Doha at 11.25am and reach operated from Doha un- Hyderabad at 5.55pm, according der VBM, “bringing the total to the airline. number of repatriated passen- Ugandan ambassador Dr Stephen Chemoiko Chebrot and UPCQ chairman Benson Akampumuza along with other community members at HIA yesterday. Meanwhile, more fl ights took gers to 17,458 plus 351 infants”, off from Doha’s Hamad Interna- the Indian embassy tweeted tional Airport (HIA) for diff erent yesterday.

33 worksites closed for violating norms The Labour Inspection Depart- specifying the daily working ment of the Ministry of Admin- hours in accordance with the 238 Ugandans repatriated istrative Development, Labour provisions of the decision, a and Social Affairs, carried out a place that is easy for all workers number of intensive inspection to see and for the Ministry in- campaigns recently to ensure spectors to observe during their compliance by companies with inspection visits, in addition to Ministerial Decision No 16 of providing air-conditioned spaces on special fl ight from Qatar 2007 fixing outdoor working for the workers’ comfort, provid- hours during the summer. ing chilled drinking water and The ministry said the field visits light clothing, and giving them By Joey Aguilar of Foreign Affairs Protocol The envoy was joined by a Airways-chartered fl ight left The envoy expressed opti- Staff Reporter director ambassador Ibra- number of community leaders Doha around 11:30am for En- mism that many of his compa- carried out by its inspectors from rest periods at different times in him Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, (Uganda Peninsula Community tebbe International Airport. triots, who considered Qatar July 5-16 resulted in the closure order to protect them from heat. for making it easy for us to Qatar led by its chairman Ben- A second repatriation fl ight is their second home, would be of 33 worksites for three days be- The Ministerial Decision No 16 of ome 238 Ugandans were repatriate our compatriots son Akampumuza) to see off scheduled for July 24. able to return and work again in cause they violated the ministerial 2007 bans work between 11.30am repatriated to their home back home,” Ugandan ambas- their compatriots at Hamad In- “The whole process of pre- the country post-Covid-19. decision. and 3pm from June 15, to August Scountry yesterday, thanks sador Dr Stephen Chemoiko ternational Airport (HIA). paring our compatriots’ repa- Dr Chebrot noted that close It said that most of the violating 31 every year. to the close collaboration be- Chebrot told Gulf Times. Akampumuza echoed Dr triation was smooth, including to 10,000 Ugandans are cur- companies work in the contract- The ministry called on all compa- tween the Ugandan embassy in Apart from Ugandan expatri- Chebrot’s statement, thank- their Covid-19 PCR (polymerise rently living in Qatar and in- ing sector in Al Ebb, Al Wakrah, nies in diff erent sectors to respect Doha, Qatar and the Ugandan ates in Doha, the ambassador ing the embassy, MoFA and the chain reaction) tests,” said Dr volved in various projects Rawdat Al Hamama, Al Kharaitiyat, the decision in order to avoid the government. noted that a number of Ugandan ministries of health of both Chebrot. for the upcoming 2022 FIFA Lusail, Umm Al Saneem, Al Kheesa, workplace’s closure. “We are grateful to the Qa- expatriates from other coun- countries “for the support and A PCR test is the standard test World Cup. Al Thumama, Azghawa and Al From June 15 to July 16, 173 tar government, the minis- tries such as Japan, Australia guidance that led us to this re- used to determine whether an He stressed that such collabo- Khor. worksites in various parts of the tries of foreign affairs of the and Lebanon, who were earlier markable day amidst the pan- individual is infected with Cov- ration would further strengthen The decision obliges companies country were closed for violating two countries, especially the stranded were also put on the demic”. id-19, Hamad Medical Corpora- the excellent bilateral relations and institutions that have open the provisions of the decision. — efforts of Qatar’s Ministry fl ight. Dr Chebrot said the Qatar tion had recently said. between Qatar and Uganda. workplaces to set a schedule QNA Ensure children’s safety in swimming pools, says MoI

nsuring the availability of safety also apply to swimming in pools. ing with precautionary and preventive equipment in home swimming In its advisory on social media, HMC measures to ensure the safety of all. Epools safeguards children and said people should check the weather Among other measures, the public was reduces drowning accidents, the Min- before going to beaches to avoid strong advised to maintain social distancing, istry of Interior (MoI) has advised. winds and high waves that may pose a use life jackets while swimming and “Securing swimming pools, slip- danger. Safety instructions should be not to allow children to use equip- resistant fl oors, availability of fl oating followed while swimming at beaches ment in play areas, besides keeping the and rescue devices are important safe- or in a pool, the advisory states. “Al- beaches clean during their visits. ty factors,” the MoI tweeted. ways watch children closely while Meanwhile, the MoI had reiterated In an accompanying infographic, swimming and make sure they swim that “adherence to safety require- the MoI has stressed that adherence only in designated areas,” it continued, ments during sea trips protects one to swimming pool safety instructions adding that children must be taught from risks and ensures an enjoyable will protect children from drowning. how to swim in swimming training time for sea goers”. “Provide fl oating and rescue devices centres. “We recommend that you check the and ensure their validity,” the advi- HMC had also reminded people to weather condition before heading to sory says. “Do not leave children alone wear a life jacket while swimming or the sea,” said an MoI advisory on social without supervision. Secure your other safety equipment. Further, the media. According to a recent decision home swimming pool with barricades, advisory stresses the need for people of the Supreme Committee for Crisis gate with a lock and non-slip fl oors.” to learn how to perform the cardiopul- Management, families are allowed to With Covid-19 restrictions being monary resuscitation (CPR) technique rent boats and yachts in groups not ex- gradually lifted and people head- in order to save others. Beaches around ceeding 10 people in this phase of the ing to beaches for a dip to beat the the country were reopened on July 1 as lifting of restrictions. summer heat, Hamad Medical Cor- part of Phase 2 of the gradual lifting of Accordingly, the MoI had reminded poration (HMC) had also recently Covid-19 restrictions. people of the importance of adhering issued an advisory on how to stay While announcing the reopen- to safety guidelines for marine activi- safe while going for a swim. Besides ing of public beaches, the Ministry of ties as well as the preventive and pre- visits to beaches, HMC’s ‘Safety Municipality and Environment had cautionary measures in place to curb tips and advice for parents and kids’ stressed the importance of comply- the spread of Covid-19. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, July 19, 2020 QATAR

New categories introduced in Sony photography awards

he World Photography tion using their Facebook, Weibo phers are requested to submit around the home that encap- Organisation has an- or Google accounts and upload 5-10 images not related to each sulate good composition and Tnounced that submissions images via their Instagram, the other in subject matter or nar- design; Culture (August): im- for the 14th edition of the Sony statement notes. rative but where the photog- ages that have enriched and World Photography Awards are Photographers worldwide are rapher’s quality and technical expanded our appreciation of now open with new categories invited to submit to the awards’ skills are evident and consistent the world and its people. Be it introduced along with added ap- four competitions: Professional, throughout. The Architecture immersing in local culture or plication features. outstanding bodies of work be- category has also been expanded capturing a unique travel expe- “Created by the World Pho- tween 5-10 images across 10 to include Design, giving pho- rience away from home; Natural tography Organisation, the Sony categories; Open, rewarding the tographers the option to show- World & Wildlife (September): World Photography Awards are world’s best single images across case exteriors and urban land- photographs of the best wildlife, an authoritative voice in the 10 categories; Youth, a monthly scapes alongside interiors with nature and landscape taken in industry. Celebrating the best brief for emerging talent aged 12- an architectural approach. 2020; Street Life (October): im- contemporary photography 19 years; and Student, for photog- In the Open competition, two ages of urban landscapes from from the past year, the awards raphy students across the globe. new categories have been in- eye-catching graffi ti, architec- give vast exposure and oppor- The National Awards pro- troduced: Lifestyle and Object. tural details or snapshots that tunity to photographers world- gramme will also reward local Lifestyle will feature editorial, off er a glimpse into everyday wide. Sony supports the awards photographic talent. fashion or family images of peo- life; People (November): por- to help the continued develop- The 2021awards introduce ple in situations or events taken trait shots, be it studio, candid In the Sony World Photography Awards 2020, the Photographer of the Year title and accompanying ment of photographic culture new categories across the Pro- in an artistic manner while Ob- or even a self-portrait; and Show $25,000 prize was awarded to Albarenga (Uruguay) for his series, ‘Seeds of Resistance’. by giving a global platform to fessional, Youth and Open com- ject will present images depict- Us Your World (December): today’s talent,” according to a petitions and a refreshed theme ing inanimate subject matters. Open call. Entries can be on any Awards are open to submissions. month to the last (July 1 - De- the Year and $5,000 to the Open statement issued in Doha by for the Student competition. In This can include photography for topic, style or subject matter. Full competition and categories cember 31); and Student: No- Photographer of the Year. All Darwish Holding. choosing these new categories, commercial and advertising pur- For the fi rst brief in the Stu- descriptions can be found at vember 30 (fi rst brief). winning and shortlisted photog- Entry to the awards is free and the awards “hope to continue poses but must show the photog- dent competition entrants will be www.worldphoto.org/swpa All category winners of the raphers’ works will be exhibited photographers are judged anon- appealing to a diverse range of rapher’s artistic approach. asked to submit images under the Deadlines for submission Professional, Open, Youth and at the annual Sony World Pho- ymously by a panel of industry contemporary photographers”. In the Youth competition, theme of Building a Better Future, across the awards’ four competi- Student competitions will re- tography Awards Exhibition in leading judges. In the Professional compe- monthly themes have all been up- which showcases the stories of tions are: Professional - January ceive digital imaging equipment London and will then be toured For the fi rst time this year, tition, a new category for sin- dated to include the following: people who are working towards 14, 2021; Open: January 7, 2021; from Sony. In addition, cash internationally. The winning photographers are able to regis- gle images is introduced, titled Composition and Design creating a better future for all. Youth: each monthly theme prizes of $25,000 will be pre- images will also be published in ter themselves in the competi- Portfolio, in which photogra- (July): creative images from The Sony World Photography will run from the fi rst day of the sented to the Photographer of the annual awards book. Galeries Lafayette Doha celebrates French National Day in presence of envoy

elebrating its French her- ideal setup to relish the spirit of these together, catering to the itage, Galeries Lafayette Galeries Lafayette – the ‘French remarkable taste of the locals.” CDoha commemorated the Art of Living’,” the statement Thanking the envoy for his French National Day recently in pointed out. presence and support, Pender the presence of French ambassa- Gellet enjoyed the experience said: “Galeries Lafayette Doha dor Franck Gellet. and said, “I am glad to be cel- is proud to represent Paris in Ambassador Franck Gellet cutting the ceremonial cake, in the presence of Galeries Lafayette Doha and ABA Holding off icials, to mark the occasion,. On July 14, the French depart- ebrating French National Day Qatar and we make sure to re- ment store welcomed the envoy at Galeries Lafayette Doha. The fl ect our heritage in everything to celebrate the occasion. Con- iconic department store is an we do. The French National Day sidering the current pandemic embodiment of France and with is an important event in French situation, Galeries Lafayette all its diversity and splendour, history and we are glad we could Doha kept the event simple this it perfectly refl ects the image celebrate it with the ambassador, year, a press statement by Ali Bin of France here in Qatar. What Franck Gellet.” Ali (ABA) Holding noted. strikes me most about Galeries The event was a culmination The ambassador was received Lafayette Doha is its commit- of a week-long campaign Galer- by Kevin Pender, acting gen- ment to deliver the latest and ies Lafayette Doha had organised eral manager of Galeries Lafay- sharpest creations. Every time I to celebrate French National Day ette Doha, and joined by Awn visit, I fi nd something new here. 2020. The Bleu-Blanc-Rouge Zureikat, COO of ABA Luxury; It is doing a great job at show- campaign from July 7-14 saw the Bassel Ammar, general man- casing the creative geniuses of store highlight the colours of the ager of ABA Hospitality; Suha our times, both global and local.” French fl ag, “creating the perfect Shatila, Group general manager Speaking about the success of ambiance for the occasion”. – Marketing, along with other French brands in Qatar under Ali Thanking Galeries Lafay- members of Galeries Lafayette Bin Ali Holding’s management, ette Doha for organising such Doha and the ABA Holding team. he said: “The success is directly a “muted and elegant” Bleu- Galeries Lafayette Doha is a related to the trust of the very Blanc-Rouge campaign during “refl ection of France in Qatar” enterprising Ali Bin Ali family. a pandemic, Gellet said: “It is and, to enjoy its essence, Gellet Prestigious French brands are a symbolic end to the confi ne- was given a tour of the “exqui- constantly innovating and peo- ment and gradual resumption sitely designed” retail space to ple in Qatar are very attentive to of activities. It is a message of check out the premium French what’s new. Ali Bin Ali Holding hope that we are moving towards brands in store. “It was the has very intelligently brought more favourable times.” The envoy taking a tour of the department store. HBKU Press supports local, international artists in publishing sector

amad Bin Kha- vide artists everywhere a our books, many of which explore art along with various samples of “By establishing a relationship lifa University Press platform to share their work international values and themes, your work,” the statement said. with authors, I’ve had some won- H(HBKU Press) has and opportunities to show- as well as those from local Gulf and Sometimes publishers may not derful opportunities to work on stressed that it is commit- case their creativity in a local Mena culture,” explains Zeyad Abu be in touch immediately because best-selling and award-winning ted to partnering with Qa- and international context. Irshaid, production and digital they simply don’t have a suitable books,” al-Askari explains. “Some tari, Arab and international “We are always on the specialist. manuscript to match to your style. of these relationships continue and artists to illustrate and de- lookout for new artists, il- “Whether the artwork they pro- “But the chances of your being some are for one book only. sign covers for their rapidly lustrators and designers vide is a cover design or illustra- hired for work increases with every “On Leena’s recommendation, growing collection of books. with whom we can partner tions, by partnering with various portfolio you proactively send. So, I was asked to illustrate my fi rst Their collaborations pro- to bring to life the content of artists using diff erent mediums, get connected with as many pub- work with HBKU Press. Such rela- we can ensure that the images in lishers as you can because persist- tionships open doors for illustra- our catalogue of works authen- ence is key. You can be rejected tors and provide opportunities that tically refl ect the content when tens of times before, but all it takes may have never been made avail- presented to international audi- is one publisher to like your work able before,” she continues. “In ANNOUNCEMENT ences. The variety in design and and then you’ll get your foot in the particular with Leena and HBKU style strengthens our publishing listed on. Or you can create your “I loved the story since it ap- door and be on your way.” Press, I defi nitely plan to collabo- I, ALEENA house’s standing as a world-class own website that details who you proached diversity in a creative and z Collaborate with an author: As rate once again as the process was holder of publisher.” are, includes highlights of your approachable way for children and an illustrator for books, it is also key such a meaningful and fulfi lling Breaking into the publishing in- work, and has a contact page. If was happy to take on the job. I’m to connect directly with authors as a collaboration. I hope this is the be- dustry “can sometimes be as sim- you go this route, make sure to in- proud of my contribution to its suc- way into the world of publishing. ginning of a long-lasting working Indian Passport No. M6166790 ple as having a strong online pres- clude key metadata words that will cess. Since then, I have built a very Some of the most famous art- relationship with both.” ence, submitting your portfolio to pop up in search queries and make good relationship with HBKU Press ists are recognisable based on “HBKU Press keeps all artist QID No. 31535601353 a publisher, or being recommend- you more visible,” the statement and credit my online presence as a their collaborations with specifi c portfolios – those submitted to us ed by an author you’ve established points out. big part of being discovered. authors, for example, illustrator and those we’ve scoped out – on hereby change my name a relationship with”, a press state- Inna Ogando’s online presence, “Illustrators and other artists Quentin Blake made his mark in fi le because we never know if and ment notes. for example, is exactly what led should defi nitely make sure they the world of children’s literature when an opportunity for a col- z Establish a strong online her to establishing a lasting rela- have a strong online presence as through his famous sketch-style laboration will be available,” says from presence: HBKU Press constantly tionship with HBKU Press over the it’s a great tool you can use to pro- drawings that marked his collabo- Zeyad Abu Irshaid. “It’s important ALEENA scope out illustrator directories past three years. The artist from mote your work and make connec- rations with Roald Dahl. to us that the artist’s style comple- and social media platforms in an Ukraine had a profi le on a popu- tions.” Reem al-Askari, an art instruc- ments the author’s text. So even if eff ort to connect with new and lar illustrator’s directory and her z Be proactive: “That being tor based in Qatar, has established we don’t have a project at the mo- to raw talent that have the potential portfolio was considered for an said, if left to chance, there is no her career as a children’s book il- ment, we never know when we’ll ALEENA JAZEER to illustrate children’s books being upcoming publication. guarantee you will be discovered. lustrator for the past 20 years. She receive the next project that is a published. “I was actually contacted by Submitting your portfolio for con- has illustrated over 40 books, and perfect fi t.” “If you have a portfolio of your HBKU Press just a few days after sideration by publishers is a great most of them come as a direct re- For more information about work, the easiest way to estab- I created my online portfolio on a proactive way to establishing your sult of being specifi cally recom- HBKU Press, how to submit an il- Any objection, please contact lish an online presence is through popular website for illustrators,” career as an illustrator. Just as an mended for projects by an author. lustration portfolio or to know THE PERMANENT COMMITTEE FOR a free social media platform, like Ogando explains. author would submit a submis- In her latest upcoming collabo- more about their catalogue of Instagram or Facebook. If you can The book, A Recipe for Home, sion package, an illustrator would ration with HBKU Press, al-Askari works, one can email them at NATIONALITY AFFAIRS manage to fi nancially invest in this went on to win the 2018 Purple do the same. A complete submis- was recommended to the publish- [email protected] or follow them within 15 days from the publication of this notice. endeavour, there are several online Dragonfl y Book Award in several sion package should include a brief ing house by author Leena al-Ali on Facebook (facebook.com/hb- illustrator directories that you can categories in part due to her crea- biography that details any formal to illustrate her forthcoming book, kupress) and on Twitter and Insta- pay a monthly or annual fee to be tive illustrations. training or refl ects your passion for The Attar Plant (Al Yarawa). gram (@hbkupress). Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 7 QATAR

The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer. Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer: the ‘versatile and professional’ multipurpose mid-size van

ff ering “tangible external Mercedes-Benz opening an en- mercial passenger transport,” it comes to protecting all of the danger, helping you avoid rear- systems to suit their specifi c The three-passenger seat strengths, great intrinsic tirely new chapter in passenger the statement notes. vehicle’s occupants – with up to end collisions,” the statement model and deployment scenario. benches can be obtained with a Ovalues, maximum benefi t transport,” according to a press The Vito uses the best of what six airbags, including optional explains. TEMPMATIC semi-automatic folding outer seat to facilitate ac- and low costs”, the Mercedes- statement issued by NBK Auto- Mercedes-Benz has to off er. The window bags and thorax/pel- The Vito’s standard equip- climate control for the cab is op- cess to the rear (standard on the Benz Vito is the “versatile and mobiles. M274 is a well-proven and test- vis side bags for the driver and ment also includes Attention tional. This controls the temper- Vito Tourer SELECT). Thanks real professional among mid- “You set the course – and ed turbocharged petrol engine co-driver. The new Vito Tourer Assist. Based on various param- ature automatically but airfl ow to the easy-entry function this size vans”. the Vito Tourer will take care of known from other models. With still enhances this safety level eters, it draws conclusions as and distribution are set manual- seat can be folded forwards over The multipurpose Mercedes- everything else, giving you even a delivery of 211Hp and 350Nm and can be regarded as the new to the driver’s condition. More ly. THERMOTRONIC automatic the front anchor point in a single Benz Vito is available at Nasser more fl exibility when it comes (10Nm more than the previous benchmark in this regard with its than 70 diff erent measured vari- climate control is even more move and can also be removed Bin Khaled (NBK) Automobiles, to transporting your passengers. V6 engine), it delivers “great maximum eight airbags for the ables are processed for this pur- convenient. With this two-zone separately. the authorised general distribu- With its wide range of confi gu- performance with optimum ef- driver and passengers. pose. If Attention Assist detects system the driver and passenger The Vito impresses with tor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, rations, seating from two to 9, fi ciency”. “This optional assistant sys- signs of increasing inattention or are able to set their desired tem- a powerful-looking radiator in its showroom on Salwa Road, along with numerous equipment In terms of power ratings and tem constantly monitors the drowsiness, the driver is warned perature individually. Further, grille. With its assertive and Doha. choices, the new Vito Tourer is performance characteristics, the distance between your van and acoustically and by a symbol on the air-conditioning system of unmistakable look the new “From skilled crafts and as individual as your passengers. engine in the Vito is tuned pre- the vehicle in front, outputs the instrument cluster to take a the Vito has been upgraded to Vito is clearly an eye catcher. trades to retail, service provid- Available in three basic designs cisely to the requirements profi le an audible and visible warn- break. enhance its performance when The van complements the large ers, shuttle services and taxis – Vito Tourer BASE, Tourer PRO of a Mercedes-Benz van. ing before a potential collision Air-conditioning is as indi- dealing with the tough weather range of the Mercedes-Benz – the new Vito is truly one vehi- and Tourer SELECT – it serves As usual, Mercedes-Benz and automatically boosts the vidual as the Vito itself: every conditions of the Middle East commercial vehicles family cle for all. The Vito Tourer sees all segments in the fi eld of com- also sets a good example when braking power in the event of customer can arrange these region. with perfection.

Medical exam of new students starts today

The FUSO Rosa. 26-seater FUSO Rosa buses from Daimler: ‘the ideal As announced by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) recently, medical examination for new students applying to enrol in schools for the academic year 2020-2021 will start today. The infographic, courtesy of the PHCC, explains the procedures involved. solution for transportation’

atar Automobiles Com- Its dual caliper front disc brakes Inspection tours of food outlets pany (QAC), the author- maximise the safety of the bus Qised distributor of the while moving and stopping FUSO brand in Qatar, a subsidi- In terms of safety and com- ary of Nasser Bin Khaled Group fort, the accelerator interlock of Companies, continues to and pre-warning buzzer pre- supply the Qatari market with vents the vehicle from being reliable FUSO Rosa buses from driven with the passenger door Daimler, directly from the Japa- open. Other facilities include nese manufacturer. seatbelts on every seat, 59-roll FUSO Rosa buses are manu- strength compliance and a rear factured in Japan by Mitsubishi air-conditioning system with Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation, a integrated roof vents located subsidiary of Daimler AG. throughout the cabin. Daimler is one of the “biggest Qatar Automobiles Company producers of premium cars and is the authorised distributor of the world’s biggest manufactur- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation er of commercial vehicles with and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & a global reach”. As a pioneer in Bus Corporation in Qatar. automobiles, Daimler is creating QAC off ers a package of bene- the future of mobility right now fi ts to FUSO Rosa buses, includ- and delivers safe and superior ing in-house fi nance from NBK vehicles that attract customers Financial Services and long- using various, innovative tech- the demands and requirements it easier for the driver to see term service contracts that best nologies. of various sectors, and provide passengers entering/exiting fi t corporates requirements. “The FUSO buses, the only services for passenger and staff the bus, while large bonded Available at the QAC show- Al Rayyan Municipality conducted 1,476 inspection tours at diff erent food establishments in 26 seaters available in Qatar, are transport, commercial opera- passenger windows are ideal room on Salwa Road in Doha, June, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) said recently. These resulted in the known for their trusted quality, tions and other kinds of busi- for an unobstructed view. The FUSO Rosa buses are maintained issuance of 45 violation reports, with 35 being resolved through reconciliation and four being economic effi ciency, solid and ness,” according to a statement bus is “perfect for all kinds of at new dedicated service centres referred to the security authority concerned for the necessary legal measures. In addition, functional design, and com- issued by QAC. transportation”, including en- in the Industrial Area, Street 10, nine outlets were shut for diff erent food health-related violations, the MME noted. Meanwhile, mitted services. The 26-seater The Rosa can accommodate tertainment trips, school, staff as well as in service centres at Al veterinarians there supervised the slaughtering process for 3,904 heads of livestock at local Rosa bus is distinguished by its up to 26 seats, including the and VIP transportation. Khor and Al Wakra. abattoirs and ordered the destruction of 96 whole livestock carcasses as well as 259kg of meat. durability and reliability, while driver’s, and is equipped with The Rosa is equipped with Customers can visit the Besides, 39 food samples were sent to the central laboratory for tests and 54 related complaints remaining aff ordable in a com- class-leading features. The a high performance 4.2-litre showroom at Salwa Road be- were received and addressed accordingly, the MME added. petitive market. The FUSO bus- forward position of the pas- 4-cylinder diesel engine and an tween Saturday and Thursday, es are perfectly suited to meet senger entrance door makes independent front suspension. from 8am until 8pm. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, July 19, 2020 QATAR/ARAB WORLD

Doha Metro wins prestigious CIHT International Award

From Page 1

“The Doha Metro is a state- of-the-art, best-in-class auto- mated rail network. It forms the backbone of Qatar’s integrated public transport system, pro- moting usage of public transport in the country and a key ingre- dient in the accomplishment of Qatar National Vision 2030,” the statement pointed out. “The Doha Metro is set to revolution- ise the way people move around Doha and its suburbs. Sustain- able design, construction and operations have been incorpo- rated throughout the Metro net- work, achieving industry-lead- DECC station of the Doha Metro. ing GSAS 5-Star and LEED Gold awards. The CIHT International Project of the Year Award 2020 won by Qatar “This achievement comple- Rail’s Doha Metro. ments previously awarded ac- creditation and it is testament to jury of the true magnitude of is the prime source of advice for Qatar Rail ongoing commitment its achievements and dedica- UK national and local govern- toward providing a world-class tion to delivery at the highest ment and other strategic stake- railway system in Qatar.” international standards,” Qatar holders when seeking techni- Since inception, Qatar Rail Rail added. Founded in 1930, the cal expertise and knowledge to has been the recipient of many CIHT is a non-profi t, UK-based guide future policy and invest- awards, “celebrating its dedi- organisation with internal affi li- ment. cation to achieving the highest ations. The Qatar Group, found- The institution is the natural standards in architectural de- ed in January 2012, is the focus of home for all people working in sign, technology, safety, envi- CIHT in the Middle East Region. transport infrastructure who are ronment, and sustainability”. CIHT is the leading voice of seeking education, professional “This award is further af- the highways and transporta- qualifi cations and technical fi rmation from an esteemed tion infrastructure profession. It guidance. Al Bidda station. Economic Zone station. Brisk business at pets market as local birds, animals prove a hit ost varieties of animals and birds on display at Mthe pets market in Souq Waqif, following the recent re- sumption of operations there, are produced locally and bought from various local farms. Highlighting this, local Ara- Birds at the pets market in Souq Waqif. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed bic daily Arrayah reports that the market currently depends on local production due to the diffi culties faced in importing animals and birds in view of the Covid-19 restrictions. Those on display include ca- naries, diff erent types of hens, pigeons, ducks, pheasants as well as rabbits, cats and others. Sellers at the market stressed that their business started pick- ing up quickly after resuming operations early this month as people seemed keen to get dif- ferent types of pets, especially for their children. A veterinarian at the market pointed out that buyers should take good care of their pets, particularly because they may become more vulnerable with a The market is also frequented by those looking for animal food and accessories. rise in temperature. They should also be given vaccines to avoid at the market are produced lo- even less depending on the type, some of these are considered ex- fi sh are also among the popular Fish are among the popular pets on display. infection and be kept in well- cally and bought from special- the daily reported. otic and rare, he added. items on sale as many people ventilated and cool places. Be- ised farms in the country. He Ahmed, another seller, Further, he advised that birds keep aquariums at home. Prices He urged them to give birds an should always be kept clean and sides, they should be kept clean added that the prices of these stressed that the turnout out should be kept in a cool place may start from QR10 per fi sh. adequate amount of vitamins on water should be changed regularly. and not be directly exposed to birds have remained stable, with of customers after the reopen- and not be exposed to the hot Omar Adel, an expert on birds, a regular basis as well as plenty Birds, he stressed, should be given sunlight. some being sold for as much as ing has been good. A number of weather as this could cause their advised people to keep their of fruits and vegetables to avoid extra care as their immunity be- Ali, a seller at the market, said QR1,500 or more while others people have been keen to buy lo- premature death. winged pets safe from the hot dehydration. Their habitats and comes weaker in cages than when all types of pet birds available can be bought for just QR40 or cal hens of diff erent types, and Abdelrasheed, a seller, said weather and its negative impact. utensils used to give them food they are free in nature. Libyan govt fi ghters Iraqi PM set for fi rst foreign visit head for front as AFP Prince Mohamed bin Salman. And Kadhemi is well-liked in Baghdad Baghdad proposed a package Washington, where he is expected of energy-focused development later this month or in early August battle for Sirte looms opportunities in Iraq to Saudi to pursue a strategic dialogue be- raqi Prime Minister Mus- Arabia earlier this month, and the tween Iraq and the US. It would tafa al-Kadhimi will travel to talks will likely focus on fi nancing be the fi rst visit by an Iraqi pre- Reuters ing eastern commander Khalifa ISaudi Arabia and Iran back- for those proposals, other infra- mier to the White House in three Misrata, Libya Haftar’s 14-month campaign to to-back next week, carefully bal- structure projects, and a reopen- years. US offi cials never extended take the capital, Tripoli, before ancing ties to regional rivals in his ing of the Arar border crossing an invitation to previous prime the new front line solidifi ed be- fi rst foreign trip as premier, offi - between the two countries, the minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. ibya’s internationally rec- tween Misrata and Sirte. cials said yesterday. offi cials said. Tensions skyrocketed follow- ognised Government of Backed by Turkey, the GNA Baghdad has often found it- They said the delegation will ing a US drone strike on Bagh- LNational Accord (GNA) has said it will recapture Sirte self caught in the tug-of-war be- then travel directly to Tehran late dad in January that killed Iranian yesterday moved fi ghters closer and an LNA airbase at Jufra. But tween various nations and even Tuesday, where Kadhemi is ex- general Qasem Soleimani and to Sirte, a gateway to Libya’s Egypt, which backs the LNA Washington, which the premier pected to meet Supreme Leader Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al- main oil terminals that the GNA alongside other nations, has is also set to visit within the next Ali Khamenei. Muhandis. says it plans to recapture from threatened to send troops into few weeks. Kadhemi rose to the premier- It appears Washington is now the eastern-based Libyan Na- Libya if the GNA and Turkish Today, Kadhemi will host Ira- ship in May after serving as the encouraging a rapprochement tional Army (LNA). forces try to seize Sirte. nian foreign minister Mohamed head of Iraq’s National Intel- between Baghdad and Gulf na- Witnesses and GNA military The United States has said Javad Zarif in Baghdad, before ligence Service for nearly four tions. commanders said a column of Moscow has sent warplanes to travelling with Iraq’s ministers of years, which helped him form a Earlier this week, offi cials from about 200 vehicles moved east- Jufra via Syria to act in support oil, electricity, planning and fi - close relationship with Prince Iraq, the US and the Gulf Co- wards from Misrata along the of Russian mercenaries who are nance to Saudi Arabia the follow- Mohamed. operation Council discussed over Mediterranean coast towards the fi ghting alongside the LNA. ing day, Iraqi offi cials said.They He is also known to be respect- teleconference an arrangement town of Tawergha, about a third Moscow and the LNA both are set to stay in NEOM, an area ed by Iran’s intelligence services for Iraq to import electricity from of the way to Sirte. deny this. in the kingdom’s northwest that and government circles, which Kuwait, a deal which was agreed The GNA recently recaptured The LNA has itself sent fi ght- Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi will need to carefully is currently under development, prompted speculation he could last year but has yet to come into most of the territory held by the ers and weapons to bolster its balance ties during his first foreign trip as premier, off icials said. and are scheduled to meet Crown play the role of a mediator. eff ect. LNA in northwest Libya, end- defence of Sirte. Page 9 Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Dialogue needed over issue of Lebanon’s ‘neutrality’ in region: PM Diab Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said yesterday dialogue Rouhani says nearly 35mn was needed over the country’s stance on regional conflicts, after meeting with a top Christian cleric who has urged Lebanon to remain neutral to help it out of its crisis. The country is in the grip of a financial meltdown, raising Iranians face virus infection concerns for its stability, and is badly in need of foreign aid. AFP Hopes of salvation through an Tehran IMF deal have retreated with the government hamstrung by the conflicting agendas of sectar- resident Hassan Rouhani ian leaders. Maronite Patriarch said yesterday that 35mn Bechara Boutros al-Rai has made PIranians may contract several comments this month the coronavirus, as the country that were widely interpreted as still did not have herd immunity criticism of both the Hezbollah although a quarter of the popu- movement and its ally President lation may have already been Michel Aoun, both backers of infected. Diab’s cabinet. It appears to be the fi rst time “The issue of neutrality is a a senior Iranian offi cial has in- political one...and it needs deep dicated the country is seek- dialogue between all the political ing to defeat Covid-19 via herd sides in Lebanon,” Diab said after immunity. The virus has killed meeting with Rai yesterday. more than 588,000 people and In an interview published earlier infected nearly 14mn around the this week, Rai blamed Hezbollah world since fi rst being detected for closing off a vital source of in China late last year. Iran has aid from Western and Gulf states. been battling a resurgence of Hezbollah’s opponents say its Covid-19, with fi gures show- alliance with Iran, pushes away ing a rise in both new infections the Gulf states that once helped and deaths since a two-month Lebanon. “We are fundamentally low in May. a neutral country...and in the end, Yesterday, the health minis- our salvation is in our neutrality,” try reported another 188 coro- Rai told local broadcaster LBC navirus deaths and 2,166 cases A handout picture provided by the Iranian Presidency yesterday, An Iranian man walks past street bin, painted with a drawing of a mask in a campaign to spread awareness later yesterday. of infection in the past 24 hours. shows President Hassan Rouhani taking notes during a meeting of over the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, in a southern neighbourhood in the capital Tehran, yesterday. That took the overall toll the national taskforce to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. to 13,979 dead out of 271,606 to “those who have encountered no symptoms” Rouhani added, worst Covid-19 outbreak since cases since Iran reported its fi rst up to now, 25mn Iranians have the health ministry. “We have the virus and achieved complete warning that they present the announcing its fi rst cases in cases in mid-February. been infected with this virus,” not yet achieved herd immu- immunity”. Rouhani also said main challenge by “spreading mid-February. The rising toll has prompted Rouhani said during a televised nity and we have no choice but that Iran may have to prepare more virus and over a longer pe- Iran has refrained from im- authorities to reimpose restric- meeting of the country’s virus- to be united and break the chain itself for double the amount of riod” than those identifi ed. posing full lockdowns but Oman sees tions in worst-hit provinces fi ghting taskforce. of transmission of the corona- hospitalisations it has had in The health ministry does not closed schools, cancelled public after being lifted country-wide “We have to consider the virus.” Rouhani’s deputy head the past fi ve months, according report the overall amount of gatherings and banned travel in April, with Tehran extend- possibility that 30 to 35mn more of communications, Alireza to the study. hospitalisations over Covid-19. between provinces in March, 1,311 new ing them for an extra week on may face infection,” he added, Moezi, said on Twitter hours The study shows that “out of The nation has been struggling before lifting curbs the next virus cases Friday. “Our estimate is that citing the results of a study by later that the 25mn in fact refers every 1,000 infected, 500 show to contain the Middle East’s month to reopen its economy.

QNA UN offi cial says Israel’s collective Muscat

he Oman Ministry of punishment of Palestinians illegal Health reported 1,311 Tnew cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total QNA tinians collectively continue to after a fair process. The innocent number of cases to 65,504, while Geneva be punished for the actions of a can never be made to be pun- the number of people who have few,” said Lynk, “These practices ished for the deeds of others. recovered has reached 42,772. entail serious violations against The special rapporteur’s new The ministry announced 10 he special rapporteur on Palestinians including the right report also criticised Israel’s con- new deaths for people infected the situation of human to life, freedom of movement, tinued policy to punitively de- with the virus, bringing the to- Trights in the Palestinian health, adequate shelter and an molish Palestinian homes. “Since tal deaths in the Sultanate as Territory occupied since 1967, adequate standard of living.” ac- 1967, Israel has destroyed more a result of the disease to 308, Michael Lynk said that Israel’s cording to ohchr.org. than 2,000 Palestinian homes, Oman’s ONA reported. collective punishment of Pal- In his report to the 44th ses- designed to punish Palestin- The ministry said that the new estinians is illegal, an aff ront to sion of the Human Rights Coun- ian families for acts some of their cases include 1,078 Omanis and justice, and entails serious vio- cil, Lynk said Israel’s strategy to members may have committed, 233 foreigners. lations against the Palestinians. control the Palestinian popula- but they themselves did not,” he The ministry conducted 3,976 “It is an aff ront to justice and tion violates a foundational rule said. tests in the past 24 hours. It add- Palestinian demonstrators argue with Israeli forces during a demonstration against settlements and the rule of law to see that such of virtually every modern legal “This practice is in clear viola- ed that the number of people in the planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank in the town of Beita, south of the city of methods continue to be used in system: Only the guilty can be tion of Article 53 of the Fourth Ge- intensive care had reached 164. Nablus, yesterday. the 21st century and that Pales- punished for their acts, and only neva Convention.” France, Italy and Germany threaten One dead in Damascus sanctions on states interfering in Libya blasts on eve of election AFP and for a stop of the ongoing Berlin military build-up throughout AFP the country.” Damascus In Brussels for a crunch EU rance, Italy and Germany summit on hammering out a are “ready to consider” huge recovery for the bloc, the ne person was killed and Fsanctions on foreign three European leaders had met another wounded in two powers violating an arms em- on the sidelines of the meeting to Oblasts yesterday in the bargo in Libya, a joint statement discuss the deteriorating situa- Syrian capital, state news agen- by their leaders said yesterday. tion in Libya. Since 2015, a power cy SANA said, on the eve of the The statement did not di- struggle has pitted the UN-rec- country’s third war-time parlia- rectly name any foreign ac- ognised, Tripoli-based Govern- mentary polls. tors funnelling arms to Libya ment of National Accord (GNA) It said “one person was killed but multiple powers have been Troops loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government are against forces loyal to Haftar, and another wounded in the ex- A Syrian worker disinfects a classroom at a school which will be used sending fi ghters and weapons, seen in military vehicles as they prepare before heading to Sirte, on who is based in eastern Benghazi. plosion of two devices near Anas as a polling station in the northern city of Aleppo, yesterday, a day fuelling a bloody proxy war that the outskirts of Misrata, yesterday. Ankara’s military support for bin Malik mosque” in the Nahr ahead of parliamentary elections. refl ects wider geopolitical rifts the GNA has tipped the balance Aisha area of southern Damas- and divisions in the Middle East ference and to fully respect the ian Prime Minister Giuseppe and allowed its forces in June to cus. large parts of the war-torn coun- the country’s northwest. and within Nato. arms embargo established by Conte said they therefore “look repel Haftar’s 14-month advance There were no immediate try. Assad’s Baath party and its Damascus has largely been While forces loyal to strong- the United Nations Security forward to the proposals the on Tripoli and launch a counter- details on the blasts near the allies are expected to win most of secure since Russia-backed gov- man Khalifa Haftar are backed Council,” the statement said. EU High Representative/Vice off ensive. mosque, where President Bashar parliament’s 250 seats in the fi rst ernment forces expelled rebels by Russia, Egypt and the United “We are ready to consider the President will make to this end.” This week, Egypt ratcheted al-Assad has attended prayers in elections since 2016. and militants from the capital’s Arab Emirates, the UN-rec- possible use of sanctions should Voicing “grave concerns” up tensions, with its president the past, or the casualties. For the first time this year, doorstep in 2018. Syria’s war has ognised unity government is breaches to the embargo at sea, over the escalating military warning his country “will not Syrians go to the polls today there will be polling stations in killed more than 380,000 peo- fi ghting back with Turkey’s on land or in the air continue.” tensions in Libya, they urged stand idle in the face of any to elect a new parliament as the former opposition bastions, in- ple and displaced millions from support. German Chancellor An- “all Libyan parties and their moves that pose a direct threat to Damascus government grapples cluding in the Eastern Ghouta their homes since starting in “We...urge all foreign actors gela Merkel, France’s President foreign supporters for an im- the national security not only of with international sanctions and a region outside Damascus and 2011 with the repression of anti- to end their increasing inter- Emmanuel Macron and Ital- mediate cessation of fi ghting Egypt but also that of Libya”. crumbling economy after retaking in the south of Idlib province in government protests.

Sudan’s army launches legal action against ‘insulting’ activists

Reuters veteran leader Omar al-Bashir was given, but the army said it rights groups accuse the army ing the investigation, saying ance with recently passed laws. late last year. The transitional Khartoum in April 2019, before signing a would release more details in of blocking investigations wrongdoers will be punished. Tens of thousands of people government led by Prime Min- fragile three-year power-shar- due course. into the killing of scores of In May, the army appointed took to the streets of Khartoum ister Abdalla Hamdok replaced ing deal with civilians under “The armed forces took this protesters on June 3 last year one of its officers as a com- and other cities at the end of slew of top ministers earlier udan’s army has started pressure from protesters. step after systematic insults when security forces broke up missioner to file legal com- June, demanding faster reform this month and fired the po- legal action against activ- In a statement yesterday, and accusations crossed the a sit-in outside the defence plaints and follow them up and greater civilian rule in the lice chief and his deputy in re- Sists and journalists who the army said that legal action bounds of patience. ministry. under the supervision of the country’s transition towards sponse to the protests. have “insulted” the military, it would be taken against activ- They are part of a plan tar- Witnesses say that a power- military prosecutor, the state- democracy. Hamdok, a technocrat, is said in a statement yesterday. ists, journalists and others geting the country’s army ful paramilitary force played ment said. It said the action The demonstrations were expected to replace some state The army ruled Sudan for both inside and outside Su- and security system,” the a leading role in the raid. The was not an attempt to “restrict the largest since the transi- governors who are former army a few months after removing dan. No further information statement said. Activists and army denies that it is obstruct- freedoms” and was in accord- tional government took power officers with civilians. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, July 19, 2020 AFRICA

Mali opposition alliance spurns Alarm over new Ebola mediation off er

AFP Bamako outbreak in DR Congo ali’s opposition alliance has rejected a plan proposed by international mediators to de- By Junior Kannah and end to an Ebola epidemic that broke which can only be accessed by canoe DR Congo is also struggling with the spread of the virus in the east Mfuse tensions, sticking to its demand that Samir Tounsi, AFP out in the east two years ago, which or all-terrain vehicles. the new coronavirus, with 8,249 “has raised people’s expectations”, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita must resign. The Mbandaka, DR Congo Health Minister Eteni Longondo “There are infections in several cases including 193 fatalities. the source said. rejection was the latest setback in eff orts to end Mali’s said was “the longest, most com- villages,” a local offi cial, Moraliste WHO offi cials worry that because Ebola experts said the experience political standoff that has spiralled into violent clash- plex and deadliest” in the country’s Nembetwa, told AFP. of these competing health crises, of the eastern outbreak will be vital es which have left 11 people dead. he Ebola outbreak in the DR history. The virus is passed on by contact there could be a lack of funding for for informing further action. In a statement on Friday night after several meet- Congo’s northwest is grow- The two epidemics have no com- with the blood, body fl uids, secre- the Ebola epidemic. Offi cials must “listen and involve ings with a delegation from the 15-nation ECOWAS Ting, according to health of- mon viral strain, according to the tions or organs of an infected or re- “We have less than $2mn in our communities in time, in dialogue bloc, the June 5 Movement said the president’s de- fi cials, sounding the alarm weeks World Health Organization (WHO). cently deceased person. account,” said WHO spokesperson and planning the response...other- parture had been a “red line” for the mediators. after the country offi cially declared The WHO called the latest fi gures The death rate is typically high, Fadela Chaib about funding for the wise we risk being counter-produc- It said this ignored the risk Keita “poses to the an end to a separate Ebola epidemic “of great concern”, saying that it had ranging up to 90% in some out- current Ebola outbreak. tive,” said Abdou Dieng, head of the very existence of Mali as a nation, republic and de- which claimed over 2,000 lives. identifi ed 56 cases by Thursday. breaks, according to the WHO. DR Congo’s partners and donors United Nations Emergency Ebola mocracy”. There have been 54 confi rmed “It is now surpassing the pre- Serge Ngalebato, a doctor at the may be cautious over worries that Response. The ECOWAS mediation team led by former Ni- cases since June 1 in Mbandaka, a vious outbreak in this area which Bikoro hospital, said the epidemic an injection of money could create Health authorities have launched gerian president Goodluck Jonathan has been in transport hub in Equateur province, was closed off and controlled at a aff ects “an area with fragile health”. fertile ground for confl icts of inter- a vaccination campaign, as was Mali since Wednesday, meeting the parties in a bid including 22 deaths, according to total of 54 cases,” said Matshidiso “In 2018, we had the Ebola epi- est, a source close to the United Na- done in the east where two experi- to defuse the crisis. fi gures released by the country’s Moeti, the WHO’s regional director demic. In 2020, the measles epi- tions told AFP. mental vaccines were widely de- Jonathan told reporters yesterday that negotia- health ministry late on Friday. for Africa, referring to a 2018 Ebola demic. As I speak, we have fi ve cases An investigation by The New Hu- ployed and more than 320,000 peo- tions had not failed and that meetings would con- There were four additional sus- outbreak in Equateur in which 33 of polio,” he told AFP. manitarian last month found that ple received a jab. tinue. pected cases. The outbreak is DR people died. The country is facing a measles payments to security forces and job “More than 8,000 people have He said that the ECOWAS team would issue a Congo’s 11th since Ebola was iden- The epidemic is spreading from outbreak which has killed more than kickback schemes “may have jeop- been vaccinated,” said Alhassane statement later. tifi ed in 1976. Mbandaka’s urban centre to sur- 6,000 people since early last year, as ardised humanitarian operations Toure, a vaccination co-ordinator. The June 5 Movement has triggered a show-down On June 25, the vast central Af- rounding remote villages in forests well as recurring fl are-ups of chol- and put lives at risk”. “All the aff ected health zones have with the government over its unfl inching demands rican country offi cially declared an along the Congo River, some of era and malaria. The infl ux of money to combat been covered by the vaccination.” that Keita resign for perceived failures in tackling the dire economy and Mali’s eight-year insurgency. After several anti-Keita protests last month, the latest rally on July 10 turned violent and deepened the political impasse. Zimbabwe probes Three days of clashes between protesters and se- curity forces left 11 dead and 158 injured, according telecom giant for to an offi cial tally — in the bloodiest bout of political unrest in years. money laundering On the agenda for mediation were discussions about the March-April parliamentary election, the disputed outcome of which many analysts say is the AFP root of the crisis. Harare Mali’s constitutional court in April tossed out about 30 results from the elections in a decision that handed seats to members of Keita’s party, trig- imbabwean police are investigat- gering protests. ing the country’s top mobile tel- But the mediators’ compromise off er is substan- Zephone operator Econet Wireless tially similar to an earlier off er made by Keita, which for suspected money laundering, ac- the opposition has already rejected. cording to a search warrant issued late The mediating team proposed that Keita remain on Friday. president, for example, but that new judges be ap- Police want the telecommunications pointed to the constitutional court so that it could giant to disclose its customers’ details revisit its decision on the parliamentary election. and records of all transactions con- A “new government of national unity” should ducted within the fi rst half of 2020 as a also be formed, mediators said. stand-off between the government and One of the June 5 Movement’s leaders, Choguel the company mounts. Maiga, said late on Friday that the mediators’ pro- In a dramatic move, the government posals had “reduced our entire struggle to electoral last month abruptly suspended mobile issues”. money transactions provided by tel- In the statement issued earlier on Friday, the op- ephone operators, the most widely used position movement said it was insisting the presi- platform to make and receive payments dent quit based on his “proven inability to turn Mali in the crisis-ridden country. around” and the loss of territory, among other is- The services continued for daily in- sues. dividual transactions but were capped Swathes of Mali lie outside of government control for merchant transactions. because of an insurgency that began in the north in Information Ministry Permanent 2012, before spreading to the centre, as well as into Secretary Nick Mangwana blamed Burkina Faso and Niger. mobile money transfer platforms for The confl ict has claimed thousands of lives and galloping infl ation, and said that the driven hundreds of thousands from their homes. government was in “possession of im- Volunteers for the grassroots charity Hunger has No Religion distribute food parcels to women queueing, following social distancing norms, With the latest political crisis, Mali’s allies and peccable intelligence” that telephone during a special lunch service commemorating Mandela Day in Johannesburg yesterday. neighbours are keen to avoid the fragile Sahel na- service providers were involved in il- tion of some 20mn people sliding into chaos. licit activities that were sabotaging the country’s economy. The government also suspended all Several dead in Sierra Leone riot trade on the country’s stock exchange, which it accused of being complicit in Coronavirus reveals fragility At least five people were killed yesterday in the illicit fi nancial activities. town of Makeni in northern Sierra Leone, a police In Friday’s search warrant, police off icer said, in rioting sparked by the relocation of a specialist investigator Mkhululi Nyoni power plant. said he had “reasonable grounds to sus- The West African state had been planning to pect that Econet Wireless...is involved of our world, says UN chief move the plant to the country’s international airport in money laundering activities”. near the capital Freetown, which is due to resume Police said there is information that flights on Wednesday after a months-long hiatus. the fi rm has fraudulently created fake AFP “Entire regions that were Coronavirus is an “x-ray” that ing disparities and discrimination But an initial attempt triggered a riot yesterday subscribers to transfer mobile money to Johannesburg making progress on eradicating has revealed “fractures in the across societies. morning. Protesters attacked the off ices of Presi- other accounts, to be converted to cash. poverty and narrowing inequal- fragile skeleton of the societies He singled out the global an- dent Julius Maada Bio’s political party in Makeni, “The runners would in turn buy for- ity have been set back years, in a we have built”, he added, citing ti-racism movement stoked by witnesses said, while police fired live rounds and eign currency in the black market be- oronavirus has revealed matter of months,” he warned at unequal healthcare provision, un- the death of George Floyd — an tear gas. A police off icial, who declined to be named, fore being externalised (abroad),” said the “fragile skeleton” of a virtual memorial lecture organ- paid care work, income disparity African-American man killed by said that five people had been killed and 12 others the warrant. Csocieties and could push ised by the Johannesburg-based and climate change as some of the a white policeman in May — as seriously injured in the unrest. The company, which has some 100mn people into extreme pov- Nelson Mandela Foundation. concerns. simply “one more sign that people A night-time curfew has been imposed on the 10.5mn customers, was ordered to sur- erty, United Nations Secretary- The economic fallout of the “It is exposing fallacies and have had enough”. town of some 110,000 people, the off icial added. render all the requested documents General Antonio Guterres said pandemic, which has infected falsehoods everywhere...The de- Enough of “inequality and dis- Sierra Leone’s energy ministry released a state- within seven days. yesterday. more than 14mn and killed close to lusion that we live in a post-racist crimination that treats people as ment blaming the unrest on “ill-motivated youths”. Econet’s spokesman Fungai Mandi- Speaking on the 102nd birth- 600,000 people worldwide, is be- world. The myth that we are all in criminals on the basis of their skin It said the international airport is “in dire need of veyi declined to comment yesterday. day anniversary of the late Nelson ing disproportionately felt among the same boat.” colour”, enough of “structural rac- electricity”, and that the government had decided Mobile money payments account for Mandela — South Africa’s fi rst informal workers, small businesses He said the world’s 26 richest ism” and “systematic injustice”. to relocate the power plant after consulting with most electronic payment transactions black president — Guterres said and women, Guterres said. people hold as much wealth as Coronavirus, he said, had also off icials in Makeni. in the country, which is critically short coronavirus was “shining a spot- “We face the deepest global half the global population. created an opportunity for world Makeni will continue to receive power supply of bank notes. light” on global injustice. recession since World War II,” he “But income, pay and wealth leaders to build a “more equal and from a nearby hydroelectric plant, the ministry Zimbabwe is being buff eted by its “We have been brought to our said. “One hundred million more are not the only measures of in- sustainable world”. added. Relocation was only a stop-gap measure, ac- worst economic crisis in over a decade, knees — by a microscopic virus. people could be pushed into ex- equality,” he added. “We are at breaking point. But cording to the ministry, until engineers could repair including scarcity of basics like fuel and The pandemic has demonstrated treme poverty. We could see fam- Guterres said people were run- we know which side of history we faulty equipment at the airport. cornmeal. the fragility of our world.” ines of historic proportions.” ning out of patience at the glar- are on.” Benin crackdown on online media fuels press fears By Josué Mehouenou, AFP those behind them had not been greenlight to return to business yet another attempt to curb po- Last December investigative parliamentary elections last year subjected to close surveillance.” Cotonou properly vetted. soon. tentially critical voices. TV reporter Ignace Sossou was — and is facing a presidential Zakiath Latoundji, head of Be- “This constitutes a danger to But the fi nancial situation detained after tweeting state- vote next April. Those in power nin’s Union of Media Profession- the country,” said Fernand Gba- is becoming increasingly pre- “They want to reduce ments by a state prosecutor. want to carry out “a purge in the als, said attempts to “clean up” nline media in Benin are guidi, spokesman for the High carious. “We have commitments us to silence because He was eventually sentenced media before the election”, the the online space were not neces- facing a complete wipe- Audiovisual and Communication with partners and we have the those in power cannot to a year in jail on charges includ- web journalist said. sarily bad. Oout after the authorities Authority. obligation to honour them,” control online media as ing “harassment” and released in Benin this year dropped 17 But he denounced the “brutal- ordered them to shut down, in a Since the announcement Le- Gamai told AFP. easily as they do with June after serving six months. places to 113th out of 180 coun- ity” of the move from the state move critics say is aimed at sti- once Gamai, the managing direc- Benin, Nigeria’s western traditional outlets” “They want to reduce us to tries in the annual press freedom media regulator. fl ing journalists ahead of elec- tor of popular investigative news neighbour of 11mn people, has silence because those in power index from Reporters Without Eustace Agboton, who heads tions next year. site Banouto, has been losing long been seen as one of the re- The government pushed cannot control online media as Borders. an association for internet The west African nation’s state sleep. gion’s most stable democracies. through controversial legislation easily as they do with traditional “Journalists enjoy a signifi cant journalists, insisted the move media regulator issued a decree Work at the outlet is “on hold” But since business magnate in 2018 targeting those work- outlets,” one journalist at an in- degree of freedom of expression,” amounted to “a kind of restric- in early July ordering all online and he has had to suspend his Patrice Talon became president ing online and criminalising the ternet TV station told AFP on the media rights group said. tion of freedom of expression”. outlets to “end publication” or staff of seven journalists until the in 2016, journalists and oppo- sharing of “false information” on condition of anonymity. “However, the state-owned “When we know the increas- risk facing legal punishment. situation becomes clearer. nents have complained of in- social media. The reporter insisted the mo- media have provided little cover- ingly important role played by The watchdog said internet He insists the site long ago creasing authoritarianism. A growing number of journal- tives are clear for the authorities. age of opposition activities since online media, we have the right outlets had been opened “with- went through all the legal for- For many in the media the lat- ists and bloggers have faced in- Talon has been grappling with Patrice Talon became president to question the timing of this,” out prior authorisation” and that malities and is hoping to get the est move against online outlets is vestigation under the law. a political crisis since disputed in 2016, and the media have been she said. Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 11 AMERICAS

GRISLY DISCOVERY GUNNED DOWN REOPENING INVESTIGATION SOMBRE CEREMONY At least 23 bodies found in Teen Venezuelan protesting Buenos Aires virus curbs Mexico analyses video of Mexican mass grave fuel shortages is shot dead to be relaxed yet again military-style cartel convoy

The bodies of at least 23 people have been A young man was shot to death in a fishing village Argentina’s government announced on Friday it A video showing dozens of gunmen and armored found in a hidden grave close to a police base in Venezuela during a protest over gasoline was relaxing coronavirus containment measures vehicles purportedly belonging to a powerful on the outskirts of the western Mexican city of rationing, opposition deputies and a local human in the capital Buenos Aires despite continued high Mexican drug cartel is being analysed by off icials, Guadalajara, local authorities said on Friday. “The rights group said on Friday. Jose Luis Albornoz, 19, infection rates. From tomorrow, non-essential the security ministry has said. The clip, lasting people deployed to the site have found 23 bodies, died on Thursday of a shot to the chest allegedly businesses, industry and certain professional just over two minutes and posted to social media, as well as four bags with various items of evidence, fired by a member of the National Guard, which was activities can restart, Buenos Aires mayor Horacio shows a long line of trucks flanked by paramilitaries and three of the bodies have been identified,” said clearing the protest on Toas Island in northwestern Rodriguez Larreta and the provincial governor wearing camouflage, helmets and bulletproof vests. the Jalisco state prosecutor’s off ice in a statement. Zulia state, said Avilio Troconiz, an opposition Axel Kicillof said in a news conference. Citizens “The propaganda video attributed to a criminal The statement said the mass grave had been found deputy. Fuel stations had been selling the allotted will also be allowed to go outside for sport and group is being analysed,” Security Minister Alfonso The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed on Monday. The families of the three people so far 120 liters per person under a government rationing to visit places of worship. “We’re a very long way Durazo said on Friday. The footage shows the Forces of Honduras, Tito Livio Moreno Coello, identified have been informed. The burial pit was system, but on Thursday the guard reportedly from having overcome this situation. The risk is still paramilitaries shouting “We are the real men of Mr and high rank off icers pray in Tegucigalpa on found between two residential properties and only wanted to restrict sales to 60 liters, sparking latent,” said President Alberto Fernandez. “We’re Mencho” — the nickname of Nemesio Oseguera, Friday for victims of the new coronavirus, during three blocks from the police station of El Salto, on protest, Troconiz told Reuters. “The guard reacted going to try to come back to normal life in this new who heads the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of the 51st anniversary commemoration of the end the outskirts of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. with bullets and that is when they killed the boy.” world that requires a diff erent type of attention.” the most powerful and violent gangs in Mexico. of hostilities between Honduras and El Salvador. Twitter: Hackers ‘manipulated’ Outrage as federal agents employees to access accounts

‘arrest’ Oregon protesters AFP Washington By Jocelyne Zablit, AFP In a statement on Friday, US Cus- Portland toms and Border Protection said its agents were behind the arrest car- witter said yesterday that hackers “manipu- ried out as they “had information lated” some of its employees to access ac- ights activists and lawmakers indicating the person in the video Tcounts in a high-profi le attack, including have expressed outrage over was suspected of assaults against those of Joe Biden and Elon Musk, and apologised Rreports on Friday that federal federal agents or destruction of fed- profusely for the breach. agents circulating in unmarked cars eral property.” Posts trying to dupe people into sending the hack- in the western US state of Oregon “Once CBP agents approached ers Bitcoin were tweeted by the offi cial accounts of were grabbing and detaining pro- the suspect, a large and violent mob Apple, Uber, Bill Gates and many others on Wednes- testers off the streets. moved towards their location,” the day, forcing Twitter to lock large numbers of ac- “What is happening now in Port- agency said in a statement sent to AFP. counts in damage control. land should concern everyone in the “For everyone’s safety, CBP agents The hack has also raised questions about Twitter’s United States,” said Jann Carson, in- quickly moved the suspect to a safer security as it serves as a megaphone for politicians terim executive director of the Amer- location for further questioning. ahead of November’s election. ican Civil Liberties Union in Oregon. “The CBP agents identifi ed More than $100,000 worth of the virtual cur- “Usually when we see people in un- themselves and were wearing CBP rency was sent to e-mail addresses mentioned in the marked cars forcibly grab someone insignia during the encounter,” the tweets, according to Blockchain.com, which moni- off the street, we call it kidnapping.” statement added. “The names of tors crypto transactions. “The actions of the militarised the agents were not displayed due to “We know that they accessed tools only available federal offi cers are fl at-out uncon- recent doxing incidents against law to our internal support teams to target 130 Twit- stitutional and will not go unan- enforcement personnel who serve ter accounts,” said a statement posted yesterday on swered,” he added. and protect our country.” Twitter’s blog. According to interviews conducted Federal offi cers have been de- For 45 of those accounts, the hackers were able by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), ployed in Portland as part of Presi- to reset passwords, login and send tweets, it added, federal law enforcement offi cers have dent Donald Trump’s plan to crush while the personal data of up to eight unverifi ed us- been driving around downtown Port- nightly protests outside the city’s ers was downloaded. land and detaining protesters with no federal courthouse and another Twitter said it was aware of its responsibility to its explanation since at least July 14. court building. users and to society in general. “We’re embarrassed, Mark Pettibone, a 29-year-old The protests against racism and we’re disappointed, and more than anything, we’re demonstrator, recalled being ter- police brutality were sparked by the sorry,” Twitter said. “We know that we must work to rifi ed when an unmarked minivan death of George Floyd in Minneap- regain your trust, and we will support all eff orts to pulled up next to him on Wednesday olis and have taken place across the bring the perpetrators to justice.” and men with green military fatigues country for more than six weeks. Twitter locked down aff ected accounts and re- jumped out and detained him. “A peaceful protester in Portland moved the fraudulent tweets. It also shut off accounts “It seemed like it was out of a hor- was shot in the head by one of Don- A federal law enforcement off icer, deployed under the Trump administration’s new executive order to protect not aff ected by the hack as a precaution. Most of ror/sci-fi , like a Philip K Dick novel,” ald Trump’s secret police,” Sena- federal monuments and buildings, spreads tear gas during a protest over racial inequality in Portland on Friday those have now been restored, Twitter said yesterday. Pettibone told The Washington Post. tor Ron Wyden wrote in a tweet on night. It did not name the employees involved in the dra- “It was like being preyed upon.” Thursday that also denounced Chad ma. The attack was carried out by a group of young Pettibone said he was taken to Wolf, the acting secretary of the occupying army to provoke violence Brown, also hit out at the Trump “The president is failing to lead friends — one who lives with his mother — with no the federal courthouse and later Department of Homeland Security on the streets of my hometown be- administration. this nation. Now he is deploying links to state or organised crime, The New York Times released without being told why he who visited Portland the same day. cause they think it plays well with “This political theater from Pres- federal offi cers to patrol the streets had reported on Friday. The paper said it interviewed had been detained, or whether he “Now Trump and Chad Wolf are right-wing media,” Wyden said. ident Trump has nothing to do with of Portland in a blatant abuse of four people who participated in the hacking, who had been charged with a crime. weaponising the DHS as their own The governor of the state, Kate public safety,” she wrote in a tweet. power by the federal government.” shared logs and screenshots backing up their ac- counts of what happened. The young hackers said a mysterious user who went by the name “Kirk” initiated the scheme with a NYC to reopen zoos and gardens tomorrow as part of Phase 4 plan message and was the one with access to Twitter ac- counts. They added they were only involved in tak- Outdoors is in, and indoors is out. At without crowds will proceed. Phase 4 is the final phase of reo- listened to the federal government.” The new blocks include space for ing control of lesser-known but desirable Twitter least for the time being. “Outdoors looks very good. pening throughout the state. “We’re feeling very good about Kettle of Fish and Blind Tiger in the accounts, such as an “@” sign and single letters or The next phase of New York City’s Indoors is where we have concerns,” With the Big Apple jumping into what we’ve done, and I applaud all West Village, Salsa Con Fuego in the numbers that could easily be sold, according to the coronavirus reopening will kick off de Blasio said. the mix, the entire state will tomor- New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. Bronx and Concord Hill in Brooklyn, report. The hackers maintained they stopped serv- tomorrow, but not fully as planned. “Museums, not yet. Malls, not yet, row enter that stage in one form or De Blasio said that some other among others. ing as middlemen for “Kirk” when high-profi le us- Mayor Bill de Blasio laid out details still closed for now. another. indoor activities can proceed under “We’re finally realising the true po- ers became targets. on Friday of how the Phase 4 reopen- “We’ve gotta strike a balance, Both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Phase 4, albeit with the proper restric- tential of streets as places, not simply President Donald Trump’s account, which has ing would proceed, noting that the and we’ve got time to look at the de Blasio sounded a note of cautious tions, but he did not outline what as a means to moving traff ic,” said 83.5mn followers, was not targeted. “The president resumption of many indoor activities evidence, watch what’s happening optimism on the move, with Cuomo those activities are and what restric- Transportation Alternatives director will remain on Twitter,” White House press secre- initially planned would have to be around the country, watch what’s pointing to surges in other states tions would be imposed on them. Danny Harris. tary Kayleigh McEnany said. “His account was se- scrapped until further notice. happening here in the city and make and noting that New York is “still in a The city will also be expanding The Open Restaurants programme, cure and not jeopardised during these attacks.” The resumption of outdoor activi- further decisions.” precarious position — not because of its Open Streets programme, which which includes about 8,600 eateries Twitter said it is limiting the information it ties like the reopening of zoos and bo- Under the current plan, indoor anything we have done, but because closes down streets to cars, to include and allows dining on sidewalks and makes public about the attack while it carries out tanical gardens, movie and TV show dining also will not immediately be of the negligence of the federal gov- 40 more blocks that will allow outside curbside, will remain in eff ect until the “remediation steps” to secure the site, as well as production, and professional sports permitted. ernment, and, frankly, the states that dining on Fridays through Sundays. end of October. training employees to guard against future hacking attempts. Civil rights icon and US congressman John Lewis dead at 80

By Michael Mathes, AFP mention of Lewis was to say he Obama presented Lewis with Washington was acting “as a mark of respect the Medal of Freedom, among the for the memory and longstanding nation’s highest civilian honors, at public service of Representative a White House ceremony in 2011. ohn Lewis, the civil rights John Lewis, of Georgia.” “Not many of us get to live warrior who died Friday aged Lewis was just 21 when he to see our own legacy play out J80, excelled at what he liked became a founding member of in such a meaningful, remark- to call “good trouble” — standing the Freedom Riders, who fought able way. John Lewis did,” Obama up against racial injustice to forge segregation of the US transpor- tweeted yesterday. a better United States. tation system in the early 1960s, “He loved this country so The African-American icon eventually becoming one of the much that he risked his life and marched with Martin Luther nation’s most powerful voices for his blood so that it might live up King Jr, was nearly beaten to justice and equality. to its promise,” Obama added. Flags surrounding the Washington Monument on the National Mall in death by police, and later as a sit- He was the youngest leader of Another civil rights giant also Washington were lowered yesterday to half-staff following the death ting congressman was arrested the 1963 March on Washington, died Friday. of Congressman John Lewis. multiple times for protesting in which King delivered his fa- Reverend CT Vivian staged genocide or leading immigration mous “I have a dream” speech. anti-segregation sit-ins in the he wrote speeches against police acter, penetrating purpose, and reform sit-ins. Two years later Lewis nearly 1940s, was an early advisor to brutality and campaigned to reg- heartfelt compassion.” “From a historical standpoint, died while leading hundreds of King and helped organise the ister black voters. In recent months, Lewis had there are few who are able to John Lewis ... mourned marchers across the Edmund Freedom Rides. He was elected to Congress in stepped away from his congres- become giants,” Martin Luther Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama He had died early Friday at 95. 1986 and quickly became a fi gure sional duties as he underwent King III, the oldest son of the Kayleigh McEnany tweeted yester- President Donald Trump on mul- on a peace march to Montgomery John Lewis was born in Troy, of moral authority. treatment for cancer. civil rights icon, told CNN. “John day: “Rep. John Lewis was an icon tiple occasions — boycotting his when state troopers, seeking to Alabama on February 21, 1940, Tributes poured in from Dem- But he returned to Washing- Lewis really became a giant of the civil rights movement, and inauguration and citing Russian intimidate those demonstrating the third of 10 children. ocrats and Republicans alike. ton in early June, in the midst of through his examples that he set he leaves an enduring legacy that interference in the 2016 election for voting rights for black Ameri- His community was almost “Today, America mourns the fi ery demonstrations following for all of us.” will never be forgotten. We hold his to question his legitimacy. cans, attacked protesters. entirely black, and he quickly loss of one of the greatest heroes of the police killing of George Floyd Lewis was a sharecropper’s son family in our prayers, as we remem- Trump in turn said Lewis’s Lewis suff ered a fractured skull learned about the segregation American history,” House Speaker in Minneapolis, to walk in Black whose fi ghts for justice helped ber Rep. John Lewis’ incredible Georgia district was “horrible” that day, which would become that affl icted Alabama. Nancy Pelosi said of the 17-term Lives Matter Plaza, the renamed defi ne an era, and whose moral contributions to our country.” and the congressman was “all known as “Bloody Sunday.” Lewis, who organised sit-ins congressman from Georgia. intersection near the White authority as an indomitable elder The fl ag at the White House talk” and “no action.” Fifty years later in 2015, he at segregated lunch counters and She described Lewis as “a titan House that was the site of pro- statesman left a permanent im- fl ew at half-staff yesterday In a statement announcing he walked across the bridge arm was arrested two dozen times of the civil rights movement.” tests against injustice. print in Congress. morning. House speaker Nancy was ordering fl ags fl own at half in arm with Barack Obama, the for non-violent protests, was a And Republican Senator Mitt “The winds are blowing, the He was diagnosed with stage 4 Pelosi ordered fl ags at the Capitol mast at the White House and nation’s fi rst black president, founder and eventual chairman Romney, posting on Twitter, great change is going to come,” pancreatic cancer in late 2019. to be lowered as well. other public buildings and em- to mark the anniversary of the of the Student Nonviolent Co- called Lewis a man of “unwaver- Lewis said days earlier during a White House press secretary But Lewis had clashed with bassies for a day, Trump’s only Selma to Montgomery march. ordinating Committee, where ing principle, unassailable char- lawmakers’ discussion on race. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, July 19, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Former police major among five Vietnamese handed death A former Ho Chi Minh City police major and four accomplices have Thai youth take to street been handed the death sentence as punishment for trading illegal drugs, state media said yesterday. Vo Van Quy, 42, was given the death sentence on Friday by a court in Nghe An province in north-central Vietnam after being charged with “illegal dealing in narcotic substances.” in pro-democracy protest Quy had traded over 22kg of drugs, including heroin and AFP “The laws protect the rich and at the memorial, which was built methamphetamines which helped Bangkok leave the people with nothing.” to mark the 1932 revolution that him earn over 100,000 dollars, Placards saying “end 112” were established a constitutional according to local media reports. held up in a rare mass public op- monarchy. The former off icer grew enticed housands of mainly young position to a Thailand’s royal Analysts say the kingdom by the financial pay-off of and black-clad Thai pro- defamation law – the number risks slipping back towards ab- drug dealing after gaining an Ttesters converged yes- a reference to the section of the solutism under the reign of understanding of the criminal terday at Bangkok’s Democracy criminal code it falls under – Rama X and the hardline royalist underworld during his time Monument as the city’s largest which protects the monarchy generals around him. working with the police. and rowdiest anti-government and its unassailable, super-rich Yesterday’s protest could be Four others in his drug gang were protest in years stretched deep King Maha Vajiralongkorn from the largest since the country’s also handed the death sentence, into the night. criticism. 2014 coup, led by former army while a further eight were Thailand, a kingdom whose “We have to come out, we chief Prayut. sentenced to life imprisonment. rambunctious politics is defi ned have nothing else left,” added The years since have seen the Under Vietnamese law, the by coups and often deadly street Sang’s friend ‘Mee’, also wearing economy cramp up, freedoms production or sale of 100 grams protests, is facing an unprec- the black uniform of the protest- shrink under new laws and Pray- of heroin or cocaine, or 300 edented economic shock due to ers, which several said was bor- ut reinvent himself as an elected grams of methamphetamines, the coronavirus pandemic. rowed from the pro-democracy premier under a constitution the warrants the death penalty. With the economy in freefall, protests that rocked Hong Kong army drafted. The nation is no stranger to anger is boiling against a gov- last year. The pandemic has reinfl ated capital punishment. ernment stacked with elderly As night fell, young protest- the pro-democracy movement. In October 2019, Vietnam former generals and supporters ers shined lights from camera Hundreds of thousands of sentenced 11 people to death for of the royalist establishment. phones as speakers railed against students are expected to be drug traff icking. The crowd of students the crush on free expression led jobless when they graduate Crimes subject to the death sang vitriolic anti-govern- by a conservative government in September, joining mil- penalty range from drug ment rap songs and waved they say is holding Thailand lions of middle class and poor traff icking to embezzlement. placards denouncing the ad- back. in unemployment in a coun- While statistics on executions ministration of former army Earlier hundreds of police try with a threadbare welfare Protesters push a police barrier during a protest demanding the resignation of the government, defying are ordinarily considered a state chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha – tried to block off access to the system. the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) restrictions on large gatherings in one of the largest demonstrations secret, an internal Ministry of and calling for the abolition Democracy Monument, the Thailand’s previous tit-for- since a 2014 army coup in Bangkok, yesterday. Public Security (MPS) document of the Thailand’s strict royal concrete concourse of which tat rounds of political street published on a government defamation law. was suddenly fi lled in with pot politics were led by pro- and student and youth movement Thailand’s economy is forecast in to control the virus remains website in 2017 revealed that “The government doesn’t plants. anti-establishment veterans say their activism is organised to lose up to 10% this year due to in place across the country, 429 people had been sentenced care about us, so either we come Scuffl es broke out as protest- of the bear-pit of Thai politics, organically across social media, the pandemic which has fl oored even though Thailand has not to death between June 2011 and out or we lose anyway,” said an ers tipped over metal barriers with large fi nancial backing and where anger fuels top trending tourism and exports, battering recorded a locally transmitted June 2016, making it South East 18-year-old student called Sang, and forced their way through political machines. daily Twitter hashtags against the middle and working classes. case of the sickness in nearly two Asia’s most prolific executioner giving one name only. police lines to hold a noisy rally But leaders of the nascent the government. A state of emergency brought months. within that period. (DPA) China warns Xinjiang city enters ‘wartime mode’ UK over basing after reporting new virus cases Reuters spread of the virus. It has also “The epidemic has developed broadcaster CCTV reported, land for July 17, up from 10 a day Shanghai carried out city-wide free in- rapidly,” Rui was quoted saying. adding the government would earlier, the health authority said fection tests, offi cials told the Xinjiang, home to most of carry out epidemiological in- on Saturday. Six others were aircraft carrier press conference as part of what China’s Uighur ethnic minor- vestigations to trace the source imported cases. rumqi, the capital of Chi- the offi cials termed a “wartime” ity, has so far mostly avoided the of the infection in order to make China reported 14 new asymp- na’s far western region of response. worst of the coronavirus pan- sure no one was missed. tomatic patients, up from fi ve a UXinjiang, has gone into On its offi cial Weibo account demic which erupted in the cen- “The epidemic situation is day earlier. “wartime mode” and launched yesterday the regional govern- tral Chinese city of Wuhan late generally controllable,” Rui was China’s capital Beijing suf- in Pacifi c an emergency response plan ment said all recent new infec- last year. quoted as saying to state media. fered a fl are-up of coronavirus after the city reported 16 new tions and asymptomatic cases As of July 17, the region re- Epidemic control measures in infections last month, in re- AFP despite warnings of retaliation coronavirus cases on Friday. reported in the autonomous ported a total of 17 coronavirus the city have led to the cancel- sponse to which the govern- London from Beijing. State broadcaster CCTV cited region were in Urumqi. cases, plus 11 asymptomatic lation of more than 600 sched- ment re-imposed strict control Liu Xiaoming called the move a unnamed offi cials as telling a press Rui Baoling, director of the cases. Another 269 people were uled fl ights at Urumqi Diwopu measures that were used across “disappointing and wrong deci- conference yesterday that the city disease control and prevention under medical observation, ac- International Airport, or more the country earlier in the year to sion” and has predicted it will sap had suspended gatherings and or- centre in Urumqi, told the news cording to the regional health than 80% of the usual daily total, stifl e the fi rst wave of infections. eijing’s ambassador to billions of pounds of investment dered communities to restrict vis- conference that recent cases in commission. fi gures from aviation data fi rm The measures appear to have London has warned Brit- in the UK from China’s fi rms. its to other households. the city were associated with a It reported another 12 asymp- Varifl ight showed. controlled the outbreak. Bain against stationing a “Now all things [have] It urged people not to make cluster of activities, with all con- tomatic cases as of yesterday. Urumqi also suspended sub- As of Friday, mainland China new aircraft carrier in the Pa- changed,” he told The Times, add- unnecessary trips outside the fi rmed cases and asymptomatic The city launched an emer- way services from late Thursday. had 83,644 confi rmed corona- cifi c, arguing it would be a “very ing Huawei was now “an example” city and ordered infection tests infections reported in Tianshan gency response plan on Friday Including the 16 cases in virus cases, the health author- dangerous move” in a newspaper to other Chinese companies. for anyone who needed to leave District, CCTV said. She didn’t to analyse confi rmed cases and Urumqi, China reported 22 new ity said. The Covid-19 death toll interview published yesterday. Britain and China have also Urumqi, aiming to prevent the say what activities were involved. asymptomatic infections, state coronavirus cases on the main- remained at 4,634. Liu Xiaoming, China’s top en- clashed over Hong Kong, after voy in the UK, told The Times that Beijing imposed a controver- as London cuts trading ties with sial national security law in the the European Union later this former UK colonial territory. year, it should not “gang up with London has said in response the United States on the Chinese” it will off er Hong Kong residents with military deployments. a broader path to British citi- Covid-19 moves “After Brexit I think the UK still zenship, which could pave the wants to play an important role in way for more than 3mn Hong the world,” he told the paper. Kongers to move to the UK. “That is not the way to play an Nathan Law, one of its most important role.” prominent young democracy ac- S Korea’s mud The Times reported this tivists, announced Monday he has week UK military planners have already relocated to Britain due to hatched plans to station the HMS the draconian new security law. Queen Elizabeth carrier in the It punishes subversion, sedi- Pacifi c as part of an international tion, terrorism and foreign col- festival online alliance to counter China. lusion with up to life in prison. The £3.1bn ($3.9bn) vessel Law told The Times his deci- Reuters in Boryeong on the coast 130km is due to set sail on her maiden sion was a “strategic move for Seoul (80 miles) southwest of the capital deployment next year, on a tour the movement” rather than a Seoul, is South Korea’s most popu- that includes the region amid personal choice. lar festival for international visitors. concerns over freedom of navi- “In Hong Kong, people no long- hen a pandemic They typically fl ock to the beach in gation in the South China Sea. er have freedom of expression and threatens a good romp their hundreds for mud slides, mud But the possibility of bas- are facing intimidation, arbitrary Win the mud, some wrestling and other revelry. ing the carrier there more per- detention and arbitrary use of South Koreans bring the mud This year the city set up a large manently comes as tensions force by the police,” he added. home with them instead. screen in a studio streaming im- Children play in a mud pool during the Online Boryeong Mud Festival at their home during a live streaming between London and Beijing “My existence is a warning The popular Boryeong Mud ages of hundreds of people, some event, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, yesterday. are rising over a host of issues, signal... to remind people that Festival, halted this year because with mud kits consisting of a and as US-China relations also the Hong Kong you used to know of Covid-19, instead became an mini-pool, mud packs, mud soaps tival, but it is great that my Mom dirty, but the children enjoy it to rejuvenate a local economy deteriorate markedly. is gone.” online celebration of soil, with and colourful mud powders. made a mud pool,” said 10-year- and I am happy for that.” hit by the Asian fi nancial crisis. Britain on Tuesday bowed to However, Liu warned it would people from around the coun- Daubed with blue, red and old Han Chae-yoon, sitting in a Some 3,000 people, including The event promoted mud-based sustained pressure from Wash- be “very dangerous” for Britain try enjoying mud pools and yellow mud powders, many mini-pool in her living room, her K-pop fans from overseas, watched cosmetics said to be good for the ington and ordered the phased to allow Hong Kong’s pro-de- mud packs in their homes – and watched singers perform online. face and body covered with mud. the live event on YouTube. skin – turning what is known as a removal of Chinese telecoms gi- mocracy movement to decamp streaming the dirty results. “I was sad that I wasn’t able Her mother Kim young-ah Boryeong launched the festi- dirty beach into one of South Ko- ant Huawei from its 5G network to the country. The annual mud extravaganza, to go to the Boryeong Mud Fes- told Reuters, “My home gets val on Daecheon Beach in 1998 rea’s biggest tourist attractions. Australian virus resurgence forces suspension of parliament

AFP day after the nation’s second- ing Australian Capital Territory oversight ahead of a govern- tal, said the region had recorded Melbourne is battling a re- Nationwide Australia has re- Sydney biggest city reported a record continue like much of the coun- ment update on the economy more than 200 new coronavi- cent surge that has seen more ported more than 11,400 cases of rise in Covid-19 infections. try to control the virus but cases Thursday as “problematic”. rus cases in the last 24 hours than 5mn residents placed on Covid-19 so far in a population Citing medical advice, Morrison have been on the rise in Sydney “We expect to be consulted following a rise on Friday of 438. lockdown. of about 25mn, with 118 deaths ustralia’s parliament will be said the government could not ig- and Melbourne. much further in advance from any “Two hundred seventeen The outbreak has also spread from the illness. suspended for two weeks nore the risk that legislators might The announcement means decision being made than what’s is much better than a number to Sydney, Australia’s biggest The vast majority have been in Aover fears that politicians spread the disease to Canberra. parliament will not reconvene occurred with these circumstanc- above 400, but it’s a number city, where there have been Victoria and neighbouring New could bring coronavirus from out- “The risks posed by a parlia- until at least August 24, having es,” Labor Party leader Anthony that would have shocked us all growing numbers of locally South Wales, the country’s most break hotspots to the country’s mentary sitting are signifi cantly resumed on June 8. Albanese told media in Sydney. a month ago,” Victoria’s chief transmitted cases after an initial populous state and home to Sydney. capital, Prime Minister Scott Mor- higher and unlikely to be resolved The main opposition party Yesterday, offi cials in the health offi cer Brett Sutton said. cluster erupted from an infect- Other regions have not re- rison announced yesterday. in the next month,” he said. accepted the decision but de- southern state of Victoria, for “We need to remember it’s ed Melbournian who visited a ported any new local infections The postponement comes a Canberra and its surround- scribed the loss of political which Melbourne is the capi- still a high number.” popular pub. in weeks. Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 13 BRITAIN Police urged to apologise for ‘knee on neck’ arrest Pedestrians carry shopping bags, amid the coronavirus outbreak, in London yesterday. By Mattha Busby He told the court Coutain had Rustem added that Coutain Guardian News & Media the knife for repairing his bicycle, had suff ered “fortunately mini- adding: “He had a lawful reason mal” injuries to his wrists and to have that item on him.” neck. “Fortunately it didn’t lead Covid-19 antibody test passes he lawyer of a man who Rustem named offi cer David to the tragic consequences that was detained as a Met- Herald in court and read his we saw in America.” Tropolitan police offi cer statement, which said: “I con- The deputy Met commission- briefl y applied pressure with sidered I used proportionate, er, Sir Steve House, described the his knee to his neck area has de- necessary and reasonable force.” footage as “deeply disturbing” fi rst major trials: Telegraph manded an offi cial apology for As Coutain appeared in the and said some of the techniques, his client. dock for the 15-minute hear- which are “not taught in police Timur Rustem, representing ing, protesters from Stand Up To training”, caused him “great con- Reuters UK pauses daily coronavirus death toll update over data concerns 48-year-old Marcus Coutain, said Racism staged a demonstration cern”. London the case “mirrors almost identi- against police brutality outside However, the former Met chief Britain said yesterday it was pausing its daily cut-off may distort the current daily deaths cally what happened to George Islington police station. superintendent Victor Olisa update of the death toll from the coronavirus number. We are therefore pausing the publica- Floyd” in the US, and that the The police watchdog, the In- claimed the manner that infor- ritish ministers are making plans to dis- after the government ordered a review into tion of the daily figure while this is resolved.” Crown Prosecution Service should dependent Offi ce for Police Con- mation has been released by po- tribute millions of free coronavirus an- the calculation of the data over concerns the Britain has been the European country review the case, drop the charges duct, is investigating the man- lice about Coutain had appeared Btibody tests after a version backed by the toll might have been exaggerated. worst hit by the virus, with an off icial death toll and off er a formal apology. ner of the arrest on Thursday to attempt to justify the level of UK government passed its fi rst major trials, the Academics have said the way that Public of more 45,000. Coutain, who was fi lmed evening, which has resulted in force used against him. Daily Telegraph newspaper has reported. Health England (PHE), the government agency But the government has said international pleading with offi cers to “get off one offi cer being suspended and “As a retired police offi cer it The fi ngerprick tests, which can tell with- responsible for managing infectious disease comparisons are misleading because coun- my neck” as he was handcuff ed another placed on restricted du- was very disturbing to watch in 20 minutes if a person has ever been ex- outbreaks, calculates the figures in England tries record coronavirus deaths diff erently. on the pavement in Islington, ties. that video and realise it occurred posed to the coronavirus, were found to be means they may be distorted compared to Health Minister Matt Hancock on Friday north London, on Thursday Speaking outside court, within the last couple of days,” he 98.6% accurate in secret human trials held other parts of the United Kingdom. ordered a review into the PHE’s report- evening, appeared yesterday at Rustem said: “Essentially said. in June, the newspaper reported. “Currently the daily deaths measure ing after the academics said patients who Highbury Corner magistrates Mr Coutain was stopped and “That technique is not one It added the test was developed by the counts all people who have tested positive tested positive for coronavirus, but were court, charged with possessing a searched for matters for which that is taught. It represents an UK Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC), a for coronavirus and since died, with no cut-off successfully treated, would still be counted knife in public, to which he indi- he has not been charged. It is the excessive use of force and has partnership between Oxford University and between time of testing and date of death,” a as dying from the virus “even if they had a cated a plea of not guilty. use of what I would regard as ex- real risks about it. In this case, it leading UK diagnostics fi rms. message on the government’s website said. heart attack or were run over by a bus three He was granted technical bail cessive force, a knee being placed is key to disentangle police ac- Britain’s only antibody tests approved “There have been claims that the lack of months later”. as the case was sent to Snares- on his neck … references which tions, the court hearing and the thus far have involved blood samples being brook crown court by the district mirror exactly what happened to IOPC investigation.” sent to laboratories for analysis, which can judge Gillian Allison. George Floyd in America. Also referring to the often au- take days, The Telegraph said. “It was found to be 98.6% accurate, and and would be ordered online instead of be- Rustem told the court his cli- “A man saying ‘I can’t breathe’ tomatic handcuffi ng of black Anticipating a regulatory approval in the that’s very good news,” Chris Hand, the ing sold in supermarkets, according to plans ent had initially been searched and ‘get your knee off my neck’, males during searches, he added: coming weeks, tens of thousands of proto- leader of the UK-RTC, was quoted as saying cited by the newspaper. for drugs and had then been told while he was already handcuff ed “I genuinely do fear these types types have already been manufactured in by The Telegraph. “While these tests will help us better he matched the description of and while he was restrained by of police practice are going to in- factories across the United Kingdom, the “We’re now scaling up with our partners understand how coronavirus is spread- “someone involved in an attack”. two police offi cers.” fl ame community tensions.” report added. to produce hundreds of thousands of doses ing across the country, we do not yet know Ministers are hoping that the AbC-19 every month”, Hand said, adding the gov- whether antibodies indicate immunity from lateral fl ow test will be available for use in a ernment’s health department is in talks with reinfection or transmission,” a Department mass screening programme before the end UK-RTC over buying millions of tests before of Health and Social Care spokesman was Meghan blames ‘intrusive’ tabloids for falling-out with father of the year, the newspaper reported. the year ends. The tests are likely to be free quoted as telling the newspaper. By Jim Waterson She cut off the money in May 2018 in order to hide their unlawful ac- Guardian News & Media after their relationship broke down tions and distract from the matter around the time of her wedding at the heart of this case.” to Prince Harry, and they have not In the latest request for clari- The Duchess of Sussex has spoken since. fication, the Mail on Sunday’s St Mawes is top seaside resort in Which? poll blamed British tabloids for People close to Meghan accused lawyers have asked Meghan to destroying her relationship with the Mail on Sunday of abusing provide evidence that she had her father, claiming he received the British court system to create provided financial support to “significant payments” for provid- negative headlines by forcing her her father, with the newspaper By Hilary Osborne things, with scores added up and pealing to families looking for ed destinations on its list which ing quotes to newspapers and to disclose round after round of implying she had not repaid Guardian News & Media given out of 100. Those who had activities and the opportunity were less well known. commentators. personal information. a student loan her father had visited the Cornish village gave it for sandcastle building, some For example in Wales, where Meghan’s lawyers said she and “We believe the Mail is no longer taken out to support her univer- a score of 85%, recommending more traditional holiday re- self-contained holiday lets re- Thomas Markle “had a very close using the litigation process for its sity education. sedate fi shing village on the crab baguettes and opportu- sorts were at the bottom of the cently reopened and campsites father/daughter relationship defence and is fixated on trying Meghan’s lawyers said she had the tip of a Cornish pe- nities for dolphin-spotting from Which? readers’ rankings. will be up and running from 25 throughout her childhood and re- to cause more harm through been unaware that any repay- Aninsula has been ranked as the ferry to Falmouth. Skegness, home of the original July, instead of heading to Llan- mained close until he was targeted headline generation,” said a ments on the student loan were the UK’s best coastal destination, The poll, which was carried Butlins, scored just 44% from dudno and Conwy, Which? rec- three years ago by intrusive UK source. still being made by her father beating other better-known sea- out before the coronavirus pan- visitors, getting three stars for ommends Criccieth. tabloid media”. The newspaper’s lawyers have when she began giving him side resorts to the crown. demic, put Dartmouth in south its award-winning beach but The town, which got a score Details of their financial relation- continually requested clarifica- money. St Mawes, which sits on the Devon in second spot, with 84% just one star for value for money, of 74%, claims to be “the pearl ship were set out in the latest legal tions on aspects of her legal case, They said the financial relationship banks of the Fal estuary and of possible points, followed by scenery and attractions. How- of Wales on the shores of Snow- disclosures as part of her lawsuit forcing Meghan to disclose more went both ways: “(Meghan) always boasts a Tudor castle in the the chichi Suff olk resorts of ever, one visitor told Which?: donia”. Rory Boland, the Which? against the Mail on Sunday over its and more personal information, maintained full-time jobs while shape of a clover leaf, topped a Southwold and Aldeburgh. “Don’t be put off by the stereo- travel editor, said: “It is a good decision to publish a handwritten which has created further nega- auditioning, both as a professional poll of more than 4,000 read- The list was unveiled as holi- typical opinions of Skegness. It’s time to explore parts of the coun- letter she sent to her father. tive press coverage. calligrapher as well as working in ers of Which?, who were asked day destinations in England a well maintained, vibrant area.” try you may not have considered They state that Meghan provided The source claimed: “They are a restaurant. (Her) father gave oc- about their experiences of sea- started to gear up for the sum- Great Yarmouth in Norfolk before and to spread our sandcas- her father with “substantial” finan- focused on dragging this process casional financial support to (her), side holidays in the UK. mer holidays and an expected and Clacton-on-Sea were also tles beyond the beaches of Devon cial support from 2014 onwards out and are abusing the court just as she provided reciprocal For each destination, ratings infl ux of visitors, with many in the bottom fi ve. and Cornwall. As our survey when she was at the height of her process to use irrelevant personal financial support to him once she were given for the beach, food people rejecting overseas travel Which? said those wanting shows, it’s smaller seaside towns fame as an actor in Suits. details for ‘exclusives’ prior to trial began earning.” and drink, value for money and in favour of trips closer to home. to avoid holiday hotspots could and villages with fewer visitors peace and quiet, among other Although they might be ap- consider some of the highly rat- that holidaymakers love.” Virus leaves fi rms unprepared for no-deal Brexit

Guardian News & Media virus are poorly placed to prepare tinued to stress that there will cashfl ow, such as business rate London for Brexit: in many cases, they’re be no extension of the transition holidays, tax cuts and policies to in a worse position than in the period. boost consumer confi dence.” months leading up to the po- There are now mounting calls Industry groups have also been any companies are now tential no-deal in October 2019. for sector-specifi c help ahead of urging members to make prepa- less prepared for a no- As the government’s own data the end of the transition period. rations where they can, especial- Mdeal Brexit than they shows, the majority of fi rms have The cost of extra customs dec- ly among exporting companies. were a year ago and have yet to not even begun to prepare. larations could be as much as Dominic Goudie, head of in- make any preparations for such “Many businesses and public £7bn a year, according to some ternational trade at the Food and an outcome, ministers are being bodies have run down stockpiles estimates. Drink Federation, said: “There warned. built up ahead of a potential no- Mike Hawes, chief executive are many things that businesses As a result of the coronavi- deal Brexit last year, either be- of the Society of Motor Manu- can and should be doing to pre- rus crisis, stockpiles have been cause it was not economically facturers and Traders (SMMT), pare, and we are helping ensure wound down, Brexit-related staff viable to maintain excess sup- warned: “The automotive in- our industry has the very best redeployed and cashfl ows seri- plies or to mitigate the disruption dustry has not the resources, the chance of being ready as further ously depleted. caused by gaps and delays in sup- time or the clarity to prepare for clarity emerges from the gov- Yet a potential no-deal out- ply chains caused by the corona- a hard Brexit on top of the devas- ernment about what will be re- come is now less than six months virus. Many fi rms have eaten into tating impact of Covid-19. Ne- quired. away. ‘rainy day’ cash reserves just to gotiations need to be accelerated “Many producers have been The latest warning comes from stay afl oat – money that could to secure a tariff -free and quota- seriously aff ected by the closure the Institute for Government otherwise have been used to pre- free comprehensive (free trade of the hospitality sector, while think-tank, which also cites of- pare for Brexit.” agreement) with the EU. staff have been redeployed from fi cial data suggesting that 61% of Ministers recently conced- “With such a deal, a strong Brexit preparations to focus on businesses have made no prepa- ed that many checks for goods recovery is possible, safeguard- the Covid-19 pandemic. rations at all for the end of the Many companies were forced by coronavirus to run down stockpiles built up during 2019. coming into Britain would not ing the industry and our reputa- “Businesses have seen their Brexit transition period on De- be enforced when the transition tion as an attractive destination cashfl ow badly impacted, and cember 31. coronavirus-related government of Christmas. areas, has actually set businesses period comes to an end, despite a for foreign investment. In the this risks further reducing their It also warns that last-minute support is wound down and po- “The coronavirus crisis has back,” it warns in a new report. previous insistence that controls meantime, we urgently need the limited capacity to stockpile preparations will be extremely tential for stockpiling is dimin- not only held up progress on “Firms reeling from the eco- would be in place. government to introduce sector- short shelf-life ingredients and diffi cult for many sectors, as ished as warehouses fi ll up ahead Brexit preparations but, in some nomic consequences of corona- However, ministers have con- specifi c measures to support fi nished products.” Gulf Times 14 Sunday, July 19, 2020 EUROPE

Death toll in Turkish migrant boat sinking rises to 54 The death toll from a migrant Tens of thousands protest in boat disaster in Lake Van in eastern Turkey has risen to 54, the governor’s off ice said yesterday, after three weeks of search operations. The boat, which sank on June 27, is believed to have been Russia against governor arrest carrying 55-60 migrants, according to Interior Minister AFP I am fond of him,” said Anatoly ed with a large majority in 2018, Suleyman Soylu. Five people Khabarovsk Svechin, a 49-year-old Cossack, trouncing a candidate of the have been arrested in relation a member of the paramilitary ruling party backed by Putin. to the incident. group traditionally loyal to the Many of the protesters say the Nine bodies were recovered from ens of thousands of peo- Kremlin. charges are politically motivated the lake yesterday, bringing the ple took to the streets in Another protester, Gennady and question why investigators confirmed death toll to 54, the TRussia’s Far East in a rare Vasin, called the governor’s de- waited so long to accuse an offi - governor’s off ice said. show of defi ance against the tention an example of “political cial who should have undergone Lake Van is near Turkey’s border Kremlin to protest against the arbitrariness.” background checks. with Iran, from where migrants arrest of a popular governor. Anastasia Sokolova, 84, said Investigators say Furgal or- from Iran, Afghanistan and other The huge rallies in the city of she was against Putin. “We are ganised the murders of several countries regularly cross into Khabarovsk on the border with not going to take part in elec- businessmen in the Far East in Turkey heading west towards China present the Kremlin with tions any more if Putin does not 2004 and 2005. Europe. a growing headache, observers release him,” she said, referring The protesters called for a Seven people died and 64 say, and come after President to the governor. “fair trial” for the governor, and were rescued when a boat Vladimir Putin this month over- Smaller rallies took place in not in Moscow, where he has carrying migrants from Pakistan, saw a controversial vote that al- nearby cities and towns includ- been held since his arrest. Bangladesh and Afghanistan sank lows him to extend his hold on ing Komsomolsk-on-Amur and “It’s our governor! And we on the lake in December. power until 2036. the Pacifi c port of Vladivostok will defend him!”, they shouted. More than a million people The rallies in Khabarovsk, a in next-door Primorsky Krai As with previous protests, the reached Greece from Turkey city of some 600,000 people, region. rally was not approved by the in 2015-16. Numbers dropped began a week ago following the Video footage on social me- authorities, but police made no sharply following a 2016 sudden arrest of popular gov- dia showed a man marching moves to disperse it. agreement between the EU ernor Sergei Furgal in a murder through central Vladivostok Russia’s main opposition and Turkey for Ankara to take probe. carried a sign reading “Our leader Alexei Navalny cheered migrants back in return for While many expressed sup- hearts demand change”, a pop- the protests. funds. port for the arrested politi- ular rock song that became a “An entire city - Khabarovsk Earlier this year, tens of cian, some of the protest signs political slogan during Mikhail - refused to believe Putin’s end- thousands of migrants tried to and chants were distinctly Gorbachev’s Perestroika less lies about the ‘justice’ of his cross into Greece via land and sea anti-Putin. reforms in the 1980s. courts and the ‘honesty’ of his People take part in a rally in support of arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal who is accused of organising borders after Ankara said it would Yesterday, tens of thousands The Khabarovsk rallies lasted elections,” Navalny said on In- the murder of several entrepreneurs 15 years ago, in Khabarovsk yesterday. no longer stop them. of all ages - including women for several hours. stagram. Turkey, home to 3.6mn with children in pushchairs - The crowds also massed out- Another opposition politi- Political rallies in the capital ties warned of the dangers of the and nearby towns, and hundreds Syrians, the world’s largest marched through Khabarovsk’s side the building housing the re- cian, Dmitry Gudkov, urged have been banned. This week coronavirus epidemic and after protested throughout the week. refugee population, had said hilly streets in temperatures gional administration, chanting residents of Moscow to take to police arrested nearly 150 activ- the FSB security service said on The protests come as popu- it would open the frontier of over 30 degrees Celsius (86 “Freedom!” as passing drivers the streets in solidarity with ists marching through central Friday it had prevented “a terror lar discontent is growing over because it was alarmed by degrees Fahrenheit), an AFP honked horns in support. Khabarovsk. Moscow. attack” in the city. the authorities’ handling of the the prospect of another wave correspondent said. Furgal, a member of the na- “Moscow is with you!” he said Protesters in Khabarovsk took Last Saturday, tens of thou- coronavirus crisis and falling real of refugees fleeing war in “I am defending him because tionalist LDPR party, was elect- in a video. to the streets even after authori- sands also rallied in Khabarovsk incomes. northwest Syria. Ukraine French cathedral airliner EU Covid-19 rescue plan damaged in fi re; black boxes in balance as leaders clash arrive in probe launched AFP Brussels France AFP François Renaud, who over- Nantes sees the cathedral, surveyed U leaders wrangled over the damage with fi remen AFP the size and rules of their and said the organ console Paris Ehuge post-coronavirus fi re broke out in three had “completely disap- economic recovery plan yester- places at the gothic peared”, describing it as “an day, seeking to overcome fi erce Acathedral of Nantes unimaginable loss”. he black boxes of a Ukrain- resistance from the Netherlands in western France yester- “The console of the choir ian passenger plane Iran and its “frugal” friends in a day, destroying stained glass organ has gone up in smoke Tforces mistakenly shot second day of intense debate. windows and the grand or- along with the adjoining down in January have arrived in European Council president gan and sparking an arson wooden choir stalls. Original France, French air investigators Charles Michel proposed a investigation. stained glass windows be- said yesterday. fresh plan after his initial blue- Catholic offi cials mourned hind the great organ have all A source at France’s Bureau for print for a 750bn-euro ($850bn) the loss of priceless artefacts shattered,” he said. Enquiry and Analysis for Civil package ran into stiff resist- and paintings as well as the While the blaze was still Aviation Safety (BEA) said the ance from the richer northern 17th century organ - a star at- raging, President Emmanuel boxes had arrived and would be member states. traction of the cathedral. Macron tweeted support for at the agency from Monday. “There’s a very tough bat- Regional fi re chief Laurent “our fi refi ghters who are tak- A 20-member international tle in the offi ng,” a senior dip- Ferlay however said the dam- ing all kinds of risks to save team would examine the boxes. lomatic source said, predicting age was not comparable to last this gothic jewel”. “The black boxes were trans- the marathon talks would take European Council President Charles Michel (left), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2nd right), French year’s devastating blaze at Notre Prime Minister Jean Castex ferred to Paris yesterday by avia- at least 12 more hours, stretch- President Emmanuel Macron (right) meet on the sidelines of an EU summit on a coronavirus recovery -Dame cathedral in Paris. later inspected the damage tion organisation offi cials and a ing into early Sunday and could package at the European Council building in Brussels yesterday. Passers-by saw fl ames be- along with the French minis- judge, and their reading will start then still fail. hind the rosette of the Cathe- ters of the interior and culture. on Monday,” Mohsen Baharvand, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Spain and Italy will accept the ble with Rutte, German Chancel- Austria also raised objections. dral of St Peter and St Paul and He set the investigation and Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Rutte has insisted member compromise. lor Angela Merkel, French Presi- Chancellor Sebastian Kurz alerted emergency services a subsequent reconstruction as international and legal aff airs, states retain fi nal approval Meanwhile, a European source dent Emmanuel Macron and the wants the recovery fund to be little before 8am (0600 GMT). priorities, saying “the state was earlier quoted as saying by of EU funding - an eff ective said the frugal countries were Italian and Spanish PMs to test smaller, tweeting late on Friday Roughly 100 fi refi ghters will play a major role” in the the Etemad newspaper. veto - for national recovery still not happy with the broad- out his new proposal. After brief to reject the initial plan for 500bn rushed to the scene and man- latter. “The French government has co- plans for the likes of Spain and er package and were seeking session with all 27 members, euros in grants and subsidies and aged to save the structure, The building was last hit by operated very well with the Iranian Italy, whose economies were more cuts. they broke off again for more insist countries reform their built between the 15th and fi re in 1972 and its roof took delegation and it is fi tting that I ravaged by the virus and its “There are many more issues consultations. “broken systems”. 19th centuries, Ferlay said. more than 13 years to repair. thank them for this,” he added. lockdowns. to solve but the proposal on gov- The leaders of some smaller As a further sweetener for Nantes prosecutor Pierre Cathedral rector Father Flight 752, an Ukraine In- He says EU oversight is nec- ernance as put forward by Michel countries - Belgium, Estonia, Austria, the Netherlands and the Sennes said the fi re had started Hubert Champenois said ternational Airlines jetliner, essary to oblige countries to is a serious step in the right direc- Luxembourg and Malta - left the other “frugals” - Sweden and in three diff erent places, so a “everything was in order last was struck by two missiles and reform their labour markets to tion,” a Dutch diplomat said, but venue to enjoy drinks and chips Denmark - Michel’s new plan judicial investigation for arson night,” and that “a very close crashed shortly after taking off make them better able to cope warned “many issues remain”. on a sunny square - while France, sees a hike in the rebates they get was immediately opened. inspection was made before from Tehran’s main airport on with future crises. A Spanish source, however, Germany, Italy and Spain faced on their EU contributions. “When we arrive at a place it closed, like every other January 8. In a concession to Rutte’s expressed concern about the off against the Frugals. But more problems lie ahead. where a fi re has taken place, evening.” The Islamic republic admitted demands, Michel’s new plan gesture to the Netherlands’ Michel’s new proposal would A European diplomat said if the when you see three separate Ferlay played down any days later that its forces acciden- includes a “super emergency concerns. keep the total recovery budget member states agree on the vol- fi re outbreaks, it’s a question comparison with the 1972 tally shot down the Kyiv-bound jet- brake” that gives any country a “Governance remains an ob- at 750mn euros, but shift the ume of plan, “then I am quite of common sense, you open an blaze or with Notre-Dame, liner, killing all 176 people on board. three-day window to trigger a stacle,” the Madrid delegation balance slightly from grants - optimistic”. investigation,” Sennes said. which caught fi re during re- Iran has said that the mis- review by all member states of source said, referring to the down from 500mn to 450mn - to But the diplomat warned that The prosecutor said inves- pair work in April last year. alignment of an air defence unit’s another’s spending plans. emergency brake. loans, which rise from 250mn to the frugals would not be content tigators had found no sign of Much of Notre-Dame’s radar system was the key “hu- An offi cial from a non-frugal “It’s positive that the size of 300mn, according to a document with reducing the amount of a break-in, but noted that one roof and wooden structure man error” that led to the plane’s state insisted that this does not the plan has been maintained, seen by AFP. grants to 450bn euros and would fi re has started near the organ, was destroyed, its steeple col- downing. amount to a right of veto, but but we’re studying the details.” While Rutte was alone in push for more to become loans, while the other two were at the lapsed and fumes containing Tehran’s air defences had been admitted that it remains to be Before talks with all 27 leaders his hard line on the need for subject to repayment. “They other end of the cathedral. toxic molten lead billowed on high alert at the time in case seen whether countries such as restarted, Michel held a roundta- unanimous approval of grants, wanted zero grants,” he said. Catholic offi cial Father into the air. the US retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq. Those strikes were carried out in response to the killing of a top Iranian general, Qasem So- Rally in France over death of man in police custody leimani, in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport. AFP brutality in a number of coun- police station where he later died. jaunes” movement who staged The black boxes are expected Beaumont-sur-Oise tries around the world. “No man, no person should die a series of sometimes violent to contain information about the The march - in the town of Val- like that, at that age,” said Assa protests in 2018-19. last moments before the aircraft d’Oise just outside Paris - was Traore, a sister who has led the Union members and militant was struck and crashed. our years after the death organised by an Adama support fi ght on her brother’s behalf and environmentalists also took part, Canada, whose nationals made of a 24-year-old black group and Alternatiba, an envi- wants to see the offi cers charged hiring a bus from the capital. up most of the victims on board Fman, Adama Traore, in ronmental group that is fi ghting with voluntary homicide. Family members of a half doz- the jetliner, had demanded for French police custody, several against social inequality. The case was thrust back into en others who died by alleged months along with Ukraine that thousands of people rallied in French judges have ordered a the spotlight with the Black police violence addressed the Iran send the black boxes abroad his memory yesterday, against new medical inquiry to ascertain Lives Matter protests in the US crowd, some of whom held plac- so their contents can be analysed. the backdrop of the global Black the cause of Traore’s death in sparked by the death of George ards that read “I can’t breathe” - With no means of decod- Lives Matter movement. custody that made him a sym- Floyd after he was pinned down Floyd’s words as he died. ing the black boxes, Iran had Family and friends of Traore bol of alleged police racism and by a white offi cer’s knee for In May, French medical experts blamed the delay in sending continue to press for a full ac- violence. nearly nine minutes. exonerated three police offi cers them on the novel coronavirus count of the circumstances Traore had been pinned to the In addition to people close to involved in the arrest, saying that People wearing protective face masks attend a march in memory pandemic, which has seen most leading up to his death amid ground by police offi cers, and the family, demonstrators in- Traore did not die of “positional of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old Black Frenchman who died in a 2016 international fl ights cancelled. heightened awareness of police fainted while being brought to a cluded members of the “gilets asphyxia”, or choking. police operation, in Beaumont-sur-Oise near Paris yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 15 INDIA Noose tightening around Vijayan’s former secretary

IANS ankar was the main man in the iat meeting held in Thiruvanan- But after Vijayan became chief ous agencies and the staff mem- Kerala High Court in 2018, where hands of Sivasankar, it remains Thiruvananthapuram chief minister’s offi ce and hence thapuram on Friday, he was in a minister in 2016, he has reigned bers attached to Sivasankar’s of- an Air India offi cial had to face to be seen what the course of it was natural that Vijayan would defensive mode - probably for supreme and the present party fi ce were transferred out. the heat based on a fake letter, investigation would be as both defend him. the fi rst time since he took offi ce secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan What has hit Vijayan very hard which he believed was fabricated the Congress and the Bharatiya s reports of a gold smug- The National Investigation in 2016. plays second fi ddle. is that Sivasankar was responsi- by Swapna and her close aides. Janata Party have already de- gling case surfaced, Kera- Agency (NIA), which is probing CPM state secretary always However, after Friday’s ble for appointing Swapna in a The NIA team is now collect- manded that the offi ce of Vijayan Ala Chief Minister Pinarayi the case, will soon question him. has an invisible grip over its gov- CPM party meeting, though prime post in the IT department ing evidence against the accused be included in the probe. Vijayan fi rst gave a clean chit to The NIA has custody of key ernment and this was very vis- Balakrishnan said party is with a huge salary, despite her from the capital city, where the The gold smuggling case M Sivasankar, who until recently suspects P S Sarith, Swapna ible when V S strongly behind Vijayan and his being just a Class X pass. smuggling gang operated. which has large ramifi cations was his principal secretary and Suresh and Sandip Nair and Achuthanandan was the chief government, inside reports in- The probe has now begun The Customs which fi rst ar- fi rst surfaced when Sarith, a also the IT secretary. their relations with Sivasankar minister (2006-11) and Vijayan dicate that the party is not happy about her graduation certifi cate rested Swapna and Sandip has former employee of the UAE But as things turned hot, Vi- are now out in the open. was the party secretary. with the way things have tran- which was produced to get her already questioned Sivasankar consulate here, was arrested by jayan removed him from the two Vijayan who took a tough po- The tiff between the two at spired in his offi ce. the IT job. for close to nine hours and the the Customs Department on July posts and when the case became sition initially, seems to be back- that time made headlines and This unhappiness was visible Meanwhile, the Kerala Crime NIA which is yet to quiz the IAS 5 when he was facilitating smug- murkier, he suspended him from ing down. at one point of time, both were when reports surfaced that the Branch is also on the back foot, offi cer is expected to serve a no- gling of 30kg gold in diplomatic service. At the Communist Party of removed from the politburo and state government will examine all as they were hesitant in com- tice to him shortly. baggage to Thiruvananthapuram A senior IAS offi cial, Sivas- India (Marxist)’s state secretar- later only Vijayan was reinstated. the consultancies given to vari- pleting a probe ordered by the With Vijayan also washing his from Dubai. BJP demands CBI inquiry into Rajasthan audio tapes

IANS plaint by Congress leader Ma- “exposing direct links” of the BJP New Delhi hesh Joshi soon after three audio in fomenting political crisis in clips with alleged conversations Rajasthan and trying to admit its on toppling the Gehlot govern- role in the murder of democracy. Commuters wait in a queue to catch a bus to return home after a new lockdown was implemented in Kolkata. he Bharatiya Janata Party ment were released by Rajas- “Their only grievance is why yesterday denied allega- than’s ruling party. the tapes were recorded. Was it Ttions it was trying break However, Shekhawat has de- legal,” Khera said. Rajasthan’s ruling Congress nied any of the tapes has his Citing an example, Khera said, party and said the desert state voice while another BJP leader “It’s like a murderer saying that was witnessing an “indirect said the tapes were doctored. a witness, who saw the murder Delhi hospital ‘ready to tackle’ emergency”. The clips have recorded pur- being committed and went to The BJP was referring to the ported conversation between police to complain, violated the purported phone conversations Shekhawat, Congress MLA privacy.” that were leaked by Chief Minis- Bhanwarlal Sharma, a Jaipur Slamming the BJP, he said, ter Ashok Gehlot’s camp. resident and BJP leader Sanjay “The entire shamelessness of second wave of coronavirus Jain while discussing plans and this admission is very shocking, “Is the phone of every person in Rajasthan, who has any con- actions to topple the Congress they are not worried about the Agencies But patients were trickling in. Over 210 people are waiting to strict lockdown,” Chief Secre- cern with politics, being tapped? government. fact that they were caught red New Delhi Staff wheeled in a 29-year-old do the same. Plasma from Man- tary Rajiva Sinha said a press Is emergency not being imposed The Congress hit back saying handed but they are worried that man on a stretcher with a hand jeri was also administered to a conference in Kolkata. indirectly in Rajasthan,” BJP the BJP has accepted that it was they were being recorded and on his chest, his mother walk- serious patient in Alappuzha. It Sinha said the situation is spokesman Sambit Patra asked behind the political crisis and now they are raising questions octors at India’s larg- ing in next to him. proved a success.” under control and the health at a press conference in New their only grievance was why the about its legality.” est hospital treating The ICU had relatively more Meanwhile in West Bengal, department is working relent- Delhi yesterday. tapes were recorded. Referring to the FIR, Khera Dcoronavirus patients patients. the government said it has no lessly to provide treatment to Calling the Rajasthan political Addressing a virtual press said a case was lodged on the said they are prepared if infec- When the pandemic started to plans to impose an immediate Covid-19 patients. crisis a “drama”, Patra alleged it conference, Congress spokes- basis of some audio tapes of pur- tions increase again in the capi- sweep New Delhi a few months lockdown across the state to “We are capable of dealing is a brazen cocktail of conspiracy, man Pawan Khera said, “We all ported conversation of BJP lead- tal, while rising cases in other ago, the hospital scrambled to combat the pandemic. with the situation. I urge people lies, fraud and defi ance of law. witnessed in the last one week ers. parts of the country pushed the fi nd enough beds or equipment. “We have no plans of intro- not to panic. The situation is “The whole conspiracy is be- the daylight murder of democ- He further said that a team of number of infections past 1mn Infections numbers are now ducing lockdown in West Ben- quite under control. There will ing hatched in their house and racy being attempted by the BJP SOG went to Manesar in Harya- on Friday. rising in the smaller towns and gal as of now. Only in the con- be restrictions only in the con- through some audio tapes it is in Rajasthan.” na on Friday night to collect the The 2,000-bed Lok Nayak villages rather than in cities like tainment zones will there be a tainment zones,” Sinha said. being alleged that the BJP is try- He alleged that everyone has voice samples of ministers and Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital New Delhi and Mumbai that ing to sabotage the Congress now seen the layers coming out MLAs heard in these tapes. has been at the forefront of the were the initial hotspots, so doc- Aishwarya Rai, daughter hospitalised party,” Patra said. fi ght against the pandemic in tors at the hospital say they have He demanded a Central Bu- State suffering due to govt rift: ex-CM New Delhi, having treated over had a chance to catch a breath. reau of Investigation inquiry 6,000 Covid-19 patients. Kumar said that in the course Bollywood actress Aishwarya eight-year-old daughter, into the controversy to estab- Former chief minister state due to Covid-19 pandemic. Now patient numbers have of the fi ght against the disease, Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, tested lish whether phone tapping was Vasundhara Raje, after More than 28,000 people have fallen in the city. two hospital staff had died. were hospitalised for Covid-19 positive for the coronavirus done or proper procedures were remaining quiet during the fallen ill due to coronavirus. “Even if we have larger In other developments, treatment, days after her but they have since been followed. recent political cacophony in Locusts have been attacking number and a second wave Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi husband and father-in-law were in home quarantine. “After Patra also questioned if the Rajasthan, yesterday broke crops of our farmers. Crime comes (in New Delhi), then Vijayan said the fi rst plasma admitted. Rai’s father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan and voice in the leaks were authen- her silence and said the people against women has crossed all we have very excellent facility bank in the state at the Manjeri Amitabh Bachchan and her Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya tic, why did the FIR states (fi rst were suff ering due to the rift limits. The challenge of power and we are prepared for that,” Medical College Hospital in the husband Abhishek Bachchan Rai Bachchan and her daughter information report) it as “pur- in the Congress government. crisis has escalated to newer the hospital’s medical director, Malappuram district was doing were admitted to Mumbai’s Aaradhya have been shifted to ported”. “This is quite unfortunate that heights. These are just a few Suresh Kumar, said. great service to serious Cov- Nanavati Hospital early this Nanavati Hospital,” the Times This attack comes after the the people of the state have challenges I am quoting here,” The Covid-19 ward, bus- id-19 patients. week, becoming the highest- of India newspaper said, adding special operations group (SOG) to bear the brunt of ongoing she tweeted. “The Congress tling with patients at the start Plasma therapy has proved to profile patients the pandemic that they were admitted to the in Rajasthan fi led the FIR against factionalism within the is trying to blame the BJP of pandemic, was largely quiet be a success, Vijayan said, add- sweeping India. At the same top Mumbai private hospital federal minister and BJP leader Congress government. Over and its leadership for all the with only a few beds occupied ing “22 people discharged from time, Aishwarya Rai and her on Friday. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and 500 people have lost lives in happenings.” on Friday. hospitals have donated plasma. two others on the basis of a com-

Rain festival feast India allows US to resume Heavy monsoon rains passenger fl ights from July 23 speed up crop planting Reuters Planting of overall oilseeds, Agencies A group representing major The Indian government had New Delhi including soybean was at Washington US airlines and the Indian em- banned all scheduled services 15.5mn hectares, up from 11mn bassy in Washington did not im- and failed to approve US car- hectares from the previous year. mediately comment on Friday. riers for charter operations, it armers have planted Soybean sowing in India, the ndia has agreed to allow US India’s Ministry of Civil added. 69.2mn hectares with world’s biggest buyer of cook- air carriers to resume pas- Aviation said on Twitter it was The US government said in Fsummer crops, up 21.2% ing oils, looks likely to jump by Isenger services in the US- moving to “further expand our June that Air India had been op- from this time a year ear- at least 15% in 2020. India market starting July 23, the international civil aviation oper- erating “repatriation” charter lier, according to the Minis- Sugarcane sowing in the US Transportation Department ations” and arrangements from fl ights between India and the try of Agriculture, boosted by world’s biggest sugar producer said on Friday. some fl ights “with US, UAE, United States in both directions bountiful monsoon rains that reached 5.1mn hectares com- The Indian government, citing France & Germany are being put since May 7. spurred sowing in most parts pared with 5mn hectares last the coronavirus, had banned all in place while similar arrange- On Thursday, Civil Aviation of the country. year. scheduled services, prompting ments are also being worked out Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Farmers typically start The fi gures are provisional the US Transportation Depart- with several other countries.” said India has signed bilateral planting their summer-sown and subject to revision as up- ment in June to accuse India of “Under this arrangement,” it agreements with France and the crops on June 1, when mon- dates arrive with the progress engaging in “unfair and discrim- added, “airlines from the con- US that will allow airlines of soon rains usually reach India. of the June-September mon- inatory practices” on charter air cerned countries will be able to each country to operate interna- Planting usually continues soon season. carriers serving India. operate fl ights from & to India tional fl ights. until the end of July or early The world’s leading pro- The Transportation Depart- along with Indian carriers.” “Till international civil avia- August. ducer of most farm goods has ment said it was withdrawing an The US Transportation De- tion can reclaim its pre-Covid Planting of rice, the key received 10% above average order it had issued requiring In- partment order was set to take numbers, I think the answer lies summer crop, was at 16.8mn rainfall since June 1. dian air carriers to apply for au- eff ect next week. in bilateral air bubbles which will hectares as of July 17 versus India’s state-run weather thorisation prior to conducting The Trump administration carry a possible number of peo- Sikh volunteers distribute sweets to people on the occasion 14.2mn hectares in the previ- offi ce defi nes average, or nor- charter fl ights, and said it had ap- said in June it wanted “to re- ple but under defi ned conditions of Sawan (rain) festival at Langar Ghar, a community hall at ous year, the ministry said. mal, rainfall as between 96% proved an Air India application for store a level playing fi eld for US as countries are still imposing the Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh, in Amritsar, Punjab, The area planted with cotton and 104% of a 50-year average passenger charter fl ights between airlines” under the US-India Air entry restrictions including In- yesterday. was at 11.3mn hectares versus of 88cm for the entire four- the United States and India. Transport Agreement. dia,” the minister said. 9.6mn hectares the prior year. month season. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, July 19, 2020 PAKISTAN NCOC team More pilots with fake meets Sindh licences suspended CM over Internews were identifi ed as possessing “A total of 262 pilots were identified as salary to its pilots and fi rst offi c- Rawalpindi suspicious licences by the Board ers who have been identifi ed as of Inquiry and grounded imme- possessing suspicious licences by the processing ‘suspected’ licences. diately after identifi cation on the Board of Inquiry and grounded immediately The human resource depart- Covid-19 s verifi cation of suspected instructions of the government. ment of the airline informed the licences of pilots contin- He said the federal cabinet after identification on the instructions pilots and the fi rst offi cers that Aues, the Aviation Division had approved cancellation of the of the government” they would remain on unpaid has suspended 15 more pilots, licences of 28 pilots, out of these status from June 29 till the sus- raising the number of suspended 262 pilots. pected pilot licence issue was measures pilots to 93. These 28 pilots will not be cabinet before the decision. process of scrutiny and valida- resolved. The 15 are among the 262 pi- able to undertake any fl ying The process of verifi cation of tion followed by necessary disci- Earlier, the Aviation Division lots possessing suspicious li- duty and their licences have licences of 93 pilots had been plinary action was being closely had provided a list of 10 pilots cences. The licences of 28 others been cancelled after proper initiated while the processing of monitored and personally su- of the private airline having sus- have already been cancelled. legal procedures under which the remaining 141 cases is ex- pervised by Minister for Avia- pected licences. Of the 10 pilots during Eid The spokesman for the Avia- the pilots were given an oppor- pected to be completed within tion Ghulam Sarwar Khan. three had already left the airline tion Division, Abdul Sattar tunity of hearing. The matter one week. Meanwhile, Serene Air, a pri- while the remaining had been Khokhar, said a total of 262 pilots was twice deliberated by the The spokesman said the entire vate airliner, has stopped paying grounded. Internews Umar said that the main Karachi purpose of bringing the NCOC meetings to provinces was to ensure the fi ght against the he National Command pandemic improved. Elephant and Operation Cen- The minister highlighted Ttre (NCOC) of Paki- how joint eff orts from prov- stan held its fi rst ever meet- inces are needed to control the ing in Sindh yesterday, which coronavirus, while at the same Kaavan to was co-chaired by chairman time recognising that the work Asad Umar and NCOC na- done by provincial govern- tional co-ordinator Lt General ments had helped control the be relocated Hamood-uz-Zaman. pandemic. The meeting, which was Umar said that the federal held at the Chief Minister government was working to- to sanctuary House, was attended Sindh gether with provincial gov- Chief Minister Syed Murad ernments in the battle against Ali Shah, Health Minister Covid-19. in Cambodia Sindh Dr Azra Pechuho and The NCOC had formulated Education Minister Saeed the standard operating pro- AFP Ghani as well as other senior cedures (SOPs) regarding cat- Islamabad offi cials. tle markets and imposition The chief minister apprised of smart lockdown in several the NCOC that Sindh could places of the country ahead of Pakistani court approved conduct 12,000 Covid-19 Eid al-Adha. the relocation of a lonely tests in a single day, though The meeting was told that Aand mistreated elephant the number had dropped in around 700 cattle markets will to Cambodia yesterday after the the past few days. be functioning across Pakistan pachyderm became the subject CM Murad said that the on the eve of Eid al-Adha, for of a high-profi le rights campaign NCOC had fared well, add- which necessary guidelines backed by music star Cher. ing that the Sindh govern- have been forwarded. Kaavan was kept in chains ment had imposed selected The NCOC chairman said at Islamabad Zoo and exhib- lockdowns in coronavirus the local administrations ited symptoms of mental illness, Media representatives take video and photographs of Elephant Kaavan as it stands behind a fence at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, yesterday. hotspot areas throughout the should ensure that the cattle prompting global outrage over province. markets operate from 6am- its treatment and a petition de- “The court has agreed with the illness”, Safwan Shahab Ahmad She tweeted in May that the was once more being regularly The chief minister revealed 7pm. Among other guidelines, manding its release that garnered proposal,” Anis Ur Rehman, the of the Pakistan Wildlife Founda- court’s decision to order the el- chained for several hours each that the provincial govern- it was decided that the screen- over 400,000 signatures. chairman of Islamabad Wildlife tion told AFP in 2016. ephant’s release was “one of the day. ment had set up two hospitals ing of those entering the mar- The capital’s High Court or- management board, said. Activists also said Kaavan was greatest moments of my life”. Minister Malik Amin Aslam said in Karachi for Covid-19 pa- kets was mandatory. dered Kaavan’s freedom in May Zoo offi cials have in the past not properly sheltered from Is- Arriving in Pakistan as a one- authorities would “free this el- tients. Discussing the safety People would be asked to and instructed wildlife offi cials denied that Kaavan was chained lamabad’s searing summer tem- year-old in 1985 from Sri Lanka, ephant with a kind heart, and will precautions for cattle mar- ensure they are wearing face to fi nd a “suitable sanctuary” for up, instead claiming the elephant peratures, which can rise above Kaavan was temporarily held in ensure that it lives a happy life”. kets in the city, he said that masks and practising social the animal. was pining for a new mate after 40 degrees Celsius (100 Fahren- chains in 2002 because zookeep- The court’s May ruling also sacrifi cial animals can only be distancing. Authorities told yesterday hear- its partner died in 2012. heit). ers were concerned about in- ordered dozens of other animals bought at places designated by Offi cials would make ing that an expert committee had But the animal’s behaviour - Kaavan’s plight drew the at- creasingly violent tendencies. - including brown bears, lions the government. sure that only a designated recommended Kaavan be moved to including signs of distress such tention of Cher, who spent years The elephant was freed later and birds - to be relocated tem- “Buying and selling of ani- number of people be allowed a 25,000-acre wildlife sanctuary in as bobbing its head repeatedly - calling for the elephant’s free- that year after an outcry but it porarily while the zoo improves mals in streets have been pro- inside at one time to avoid Cambodia for retirement. demonstrated “a kind of mental dom. emerged in 2015 that the animal its standards. hibited,” he told the NCOC. overcrowding.

No food shortage Camel market despite locust Enhancing green areas attack: minister Pakistani Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam has said that there is no immediate threat of food shortage in the and forest cover vital for country despite the ongoing locust attack and prediction of above normal monsoon rains. In an interview with VOA, he said the government is making future generations: PM a strategy for next year in view of declined in agricultural Internews The prime minister said that ness among schoolchildren production. Islamabad the government had launched 10 about importance of trees. The minister said that the Met Billion Tree Tsunami campaign Imran Khan said it is unfortu- off ice predicted 10% extra rains under which we have grown nate that previous governments during the monsoon season which akistan Prime Minister 300mn trees in just two years did not focus on preventing de- might aff ect kharif crops in the Imran Khan has said en- after coming to power. forestation, which resulted into country as climate variations are Phancing green areas and He said we will be able to an increased level of pollution causing a change in traditional forest cover are vital to protect plant one billion trees by June in Lahore and other cities of the monsoon rains every year. future generations from pollu- next year and be very close to country, which adversely aff ect- He said the Ministry of Food tion, global warming and to keep our target at the end of our ed health of the people. in collaboration with National the environment clean and tidy. fi ve-year term. The prime minister said that Disaster Management Authority He was speaking at a ceremo- He said that 300 Nigehbans or he has directed all chief sec- would make all-out eff orts to save ny after inaugurating Monsoon caretakers have been appointed retaries of the provinces to crops from rains and floods. Tree Plantation Campaign 2020 to protect trees in these parks prepare master plan of all the The minister said that the in Kahuta. and this number will be en- cities of Pakistan so that “we government was working on the The prime minister said the hanced to 30,000 in future. can prevent unplanned expan- crops insurance policy to make it government has established nine He said the prime responsibil- sion of urban areas to protect easier to benefit the farmers. National Parks in the country ity of these Nigehbans will be to agricultural land.” He said that fertilization of locust which will not only protect for- protect trees from fi re, animals He said green areas will be is a big threat for Pakistan’s est cover, but also nurture wild- and timber mafi a. demarcated around cities and agriculture and the government is life and avoid global warming. The prime minister said it has urban population will not be al- A camel vendor decorates his camels at a camel market set up for the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival working on preventive measures in He said these National Parks also been decided to reserve two lowed to expand beyond certain or the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, in Karachi yesterday. collaboration with the will be increased in future. hours in a week to create aware- limits. provinces. (Internews) 3 killed after building Two dead as rain batters Karachi collapses in Mirpur Internews shock. Another person in the Bahadurabad, PECHS, Sol- bad, Liaquatabad C-1 Area, to suff er from unannounced Karachi city’s Clifton area succumbed to dier Bazaar, University Road, Drigh Road, Defence Housing loadshedding. t least three people were with the civil administration. electrocution. Gulshan-e-Hadid, Abdullah Authority (DHA), and Meh- A K-Electric spokesperson killed and 19 injured after a The ISPR had said that the Torrential rain wreaked Haroon Road, Shah Faisal Col- moodabad. said that work to restore power Atriple-storey marriage hall army’s Urban Search and Rescue wo people, including havoc in the city, leaving many ony, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Faw- The city’s Clifton Block 5 area in areas aff ected by the rain was building collapsed in Azad Jammu team came in from Rawalpindi to a police offi cer, died of areas without power for hours. wara Chowk, M A Jinnah Road, continued to remain without being carried out. He said that and Kashmir’s Mirpur area. aid in the eff orts. Telectrocution in the city The Met offi ce has forecast and Garden. electricity till yesterday, as per electricity had been restored in According to details, the mar- The incident occurred when as rain battered the metropolis, intermittent rain in Karachi, Power outages were report- reports. Surjani Town, Federal B Area, riage hall owner, Nadeem and his labourers were working to reno- leaving the city’s main roads adding that the rain system is ed in Manzoor Colony, Model Other areas of the city, namely Defence, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and son were among the deceased. vate the building of a marriage and streets submerged with present in the Arabian Sea’s Colony, Shah Faisal Colony, Manzoor Colony, Junejo Town Orangi Town areas. At least 17 people had been hall in Mirpur’s Chaksawari area. water. southern region. Korangi, Saddar, Lines Area, and Defence View continue to The power distributing com- rescued from underneath the According to a labourer, who Constable Irshad Ali was on- Areas that received rainfall Orangi Town, Gadap, Kathore, face power outages at regu- pany said that it was encounter- debris, Inter-Services Pub- was later rescued by offi cials, more duty at the Water Pump in the included Jamshed Road, Model Baldia Town, Lyari, Shah lar intervals while residents ing problems in restoring elec- lic Relations (ISPR) had said, than 50 labourers were working on city’s Ibrahim Hyderi area when Colony, Saddar, Clifton, Ma- Faisal Town, Tariq bin Ziyad in North Karachi, Gulshan-e- tricity in areas submerged by as army troops had initiated the building when it came crashing he died as a result of an electric lir, Gulistan-e-Johar, Dhoraji, Society, Malir Halt, Moeena- Iqbal and other areas continue water. rescue and relief eff orts along down. (Internews) Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES

Ambassador quits over Govt defends anti-terror sexual harassment law before US Congress allegations Reuters/Agencies rorists and detain them without signed the law on July 3 despite because any form of violation In a statement, the former DPA Manila charge for up to 24 days. repeated pleas against it and would be contrary to God’s law Philippine National Police chief Manila It also allows for surveillance strong criticism from various of loving our neighbours,” Bish- said that, unlike the American and wiretaps, and punishments groups because of its allegedly op Crispin Varques of Borongan version, RA 11479 has no provi- he Philippines’ foreign that include life imprisonment repressive provisions that vio- said, while the Association of sion for a Guantanamo Bay-like he Philippines’ ambassa- ministry has told the US without parole. Lawyers have late the Constitution. Major Religious Superiors of the detention facility where indefi - dor to South Korea has re- TCongress that political questioned the law before the At least nine petitions have Philippines said in a statement nite detention without trial of Tsigned over allegations he freedoms and human rights will Supreme Court, saying the leg- been fi led before the Supreme that it trusts “that the good suspected terrorists, along with sexually harassed a South Korean be respected as concerns linger islation could be abused to tar- Court to strike down those women and men of the highest torture and breach of human woman while serving in Seoul in over an anti-terrorism law that get administration opponents vague provisions. The latest of court of the land will be guided rights, suicides and suicide at- December, the government said took eff ect yesterday. and suppress peaceful dissent. these was that of labour group by the common good of all and tempts have been reported by yesterday. Philippine President Rodrigo “What the law signifi es is the Federation of Free Workers, by the Philippine Constitution.” Amnesty International — all A complaint was fi led at the Duterte early this month signed Philippine government’s strong along with leaders of the Nag- Also, Senator Panfi lo Lac- in violation of the Due Process Philippine embassy in Seoul, a stricter anti-terrorism bill, resolve to combat terrorism and kaisa labour coalition, Kilusang son, the law’s principal spon- Clause of the US Constitution.” which then reported it to the condemned by critics and rights to implement a more eff ective Mayo Uno and offi cials of other sor, lambasted the 45 American “And unlike their Anti-Terror- head offi ce in Manila in February, groups as a weapon to target op- and comprehensive approach to labour groups. lawmakers who criticised the ism Act of 2001, our law does not while the former envoy was in ponents and stifl e free speech. such a serious threat that knows They urged the high court to country over RA 11470, saying allow one-party consent in the the Philippine capital on offi cial “The Philippines remains no borders,” the embassy said, issue a temporary restraining they should stop doing so “un- conduct of electronic or technical business, the Department of For- committed to the protection of adding that the previous anti- Menardo Guevarra order against Sections 4, 5, 6, less they admit to being a bunch surveillance,” he added. eign Aff airs said in a statement. civil and political liberties as terror bill, signed in 2007, re- 9, 10, 11 and 12; paragraphs 1, 2 of hypocrites.” “While our Anti-Terrorism Act The department did not name well as human rights,” its em- sulted in the conviction of only a Viber message to reporters. and 3 of Section 25; and Section These legislators were led by of 2020 is replete with safeguards the ambassador in its statement, bassy in Washington said in a one person. According to him, the eff ec- 29 of the law. “While petition- Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, to ensure that human rights of but noted that he fi led his resig- letter to 50 US representatives Earlier, the Republic Act (RA) tivity clause of RA 11479 says it ers recognise the eff orts of those who called on the Duterte ad- suspected terrorists are observed nation on March 16 after an in- dated July 16 and made available 11479, or the “Anti-Terrorism shall take eff ect 15 days after its who sincerely keep our people ministration to repeal the law, and protected, what the US Con- vestigation. It did not off er an ex- to the media yesterday. Act of 2020,” took eff ect yester- publication in the Offi cial Ga- safe, they strongly oppose” the which they claimed “risks fur- gress passed as their version of planation as to why his departure “The Anti-Terrorism Act it- day, and not today as previously zette of the Philippines or in at law “in its present form, which ther undermining human rights an Anti-Terrorism law is much was only now being announced. self strongly mandates that hu- announced, the Department least two newspapers of general runs contrary and repugnant to in the Philippines.” stronger, even cruel to some ex- The Philippine embassy in Seoul man rights be absolute and pro- of Justice (DoJ) said, further circulation. the Constitution,” their petition They made that call in a letter tent because their policy mak- is now headed by Christian De tected at all times,” it added. alarming critics who are con- “Considering that the law said. to Philippine Ambassador to the ers and citizenry give the highest Jesus as charge d’aff aires. Duterte has defended the law, cerned that authorities might was published on July 3, it will Catholic bishops and re- United States Jose Romualdez. premium to the security of their “The department is commit- saying law-abiding citizens abuse it and curb dissent, Ma- take eff ect on July 18, which is ligious leaders have also ex- “I wonder how many among country and the protection of US ted to ensuring that justice is should not fear as it targets ter- nila Times reported. the 15th day. This is in accord- pressed opposition, and urged those 50 or so members of the US citizens stationed anywhere in rendered in this case,” it said.”It rorists including communist “We rectify our earlier state- ance with the ruling of the Su- Filipinos to be vigilant against Congress voted in favour of their the world.” also remains committed in cul- insurgents. The legislation cre- ment that the law will take ef- preme Court in People vs Nico- possible abuses in the enforce- own country’s Anti-Terrorism “That said, these US Congress tivating and preserving a work ates a council appointed by the fect after the 15th day, or on July las (GR 135877), among others,” ment of these provisions. Act of 2001,” said Lacson, chair- members should shut up unless environment where all personnel president, which can designate 19. Our apologies,” Justice Sec- the Justice chief explained. “We have to safeguard the ba- man of the Senate national de- they admit to being a bunch of are treated with respect and dig- individuals and groups as ter- retary Menardo Guevarra said in President Rodrigo Duterte sic human rights of our people fence and security committee. hypocrites.” nity, and free from harassment of any kind.” According to a report by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, which also did not name the former ambassador, Interpol has Health dept endorses complaint included him in its Red Notice list and asked member states to help in locating and arresting against senator over violation him. The Department of Foreign Aff airs in Manila did not com- By Red Mendoza partment of Justice to resolve ment on reports the ex-ambas- Manila Times the preliminary investigation sador is evading law enforcement on Pimentel and exercise its authorities. mandate to “uphold the rule of he Department of Health law.” (DoH) has endorsed the “To my fellow Filipinos: LEGAL Tcomplaint against Sena- Watch how the rule of law is City official tor Aquilino “Koko” Pimen- applied to you and how it is tel 3rd for allegedly breaching applied to a senator. Make our faces criminal quarantine protocols when he public servants know that we charges over accompanied his then-preg- are watching them and that we nant wife to an upscale hospital will hold them accountable. house demolition in Makati City in March. There is power in vigilance,” In a media forum, Health Quicho said. General Santos City Criminal Undersecretary Maria Rosario The complaint stems from charges were filed against General Vergiere told reporters that her visiting the Makati Medi- Santos city councillor Richard department had endorsed the cal Center (MMC) on March Atendido and 71 others for harass- complaint to the National Bu- 24 — the eighth day of the en- Children whom authorities say violated quarantine restrictions, are gathered with their mothers in ment and unlawful demolition of reau of Investigation (NBI) and Pimentel: under scrutiny hanced community quarantine a basketball court for a lecture on safety precautions against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in houses belonging to indigenous the Philippine National Police imposed by the government on Navotas, Metro Manila. B’laan families occupying a (PNP) after the complainant, Public Health Concern Act.” Luzon to stem the spread of the disputed land at the boundary lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho, sub- Quicho said he had received novel coronavirus — to escort between Barangay Glamang in mitted it to the DoH. Pimentel’s counter-affi davit, his wife Kathryna Yu-Pimen- General Santos City and Barangay “This is the process we go in which the senator claimed tel, who was about to give birth, Basag in T’boli town in South through when we receive these that the complaint was fl awed, despite having tested for the ‘Irresponsible’ parents face arrest Cotabato, Manila Times reported. kinds of complaints,” Vergeire as it cited only news reports, highly contagious respiratory T’boli Mayor Dibu Tuan said Aten- said. and he lacked personal knowl- illness as a person under inves- dido; his mother, former barangay (village) councillor Minda Atendido According to her, the depart- edge of the event. tigation and, as such, should By John Eric Mendoza Special Mayor’s Reaction Of- ishments are for the violation ment can only act on adminis- “I am being charged based on have isolated himself at home. Manila Times fi ce (MPD-SMaRT). “We have of the Anti-Child Endanger- from Barangay Sinawal; and 70 trative matters. mere hearsay,” Pimentel said. His test later turned out to started to jail irresponsible ment Ordinance of the City of of their followers were facing Her remarks confi rmed what The lawyer disputed Pimen- be positive, which meant he parents, it’s saddening that we Manila, which imposes higher charges of frustrated murder and Quicho tweeted, in which he tel’s assertion, saying the law- exposed MMC personnel and he Manila City Govern- have to resort to this but par- fi nes for parents of young cur- malicious mischief for allegedly wrote that the “DoH formally maker was an “entitled VIP” guests to possible infection. ment has reported the ents need to learn how to disci- few violators. demolishing the homes of B’laan endorsed the complaint vs (Very Important Person) and His visit outraged the doc- Tarrest of “irresponsible” pline their children,” he said in For those 12 years old and families on July 5. Senator Pimentel to PNP Chief that his reply was based on ir- tors and nurses at the hospital, parents after the city mayor a social media message. below, their parents will pay “I do not tolerate any misdeeds or (Archie) Gamboa and (NBI Di- relevant and malicious claims. as well as social media users. vowed to arrest the parents of Those who are arrested are a fi ne of P5,000 and face up to acts of violence on some people rector Eric) Distor to undertake “These are the excuses of a The visit comes after Pi- curfew violators who are minors, from Barangay 228, 221, 61, 56, six months imprisonment; for in our municipality especially an investigation for possible man who had been enjoying 113 mentel went grocery shopping during the coronavirus disease 55, 53, 52, 51 and 50, under the those aged 13-14, parents will when my constituents are the violations of RA (Republic Act) days of impunity and who had at the S&R Membership Shop- 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. MPD Station 7’s area of respon- face a P3,000-fi ne and up to ones aff ected,” Tuan said. 11332.” been enjoying VIP favours from ping branch in Bonifacio Global Mayor Francisco Domagoso sibility. The multiple charges three months in prison; while According to a police report, That law is also known as then until now,” Quicho said on City, Taguig City, which the said around 34 parents of minor against arrested parents are parents of those aged 15-17 will Atendido’s group were heavily “Mandatory Reporting of No- his Facebook account. supermarket chain later con- curfew violators were arrested now being prepared for inquest be fi ned P2,000 and could end armed when they stormed the tifi able Diseases and Events of He then called on the De- fi rmed. by the Manila Police District- proceedings. Among the pun- up to a month in prison. disputed property. Envoy says US supports Philippines in sea row

By Bernadette Tamayo tical miles from the Spratly is- ment of Foreign Aff airs Secretary spawning grounds for schools South China Sea, it denies our He also said that since the Manila Times lands. Teodoro Locsin Jr that the “arbi- that populate seas throughout friends and partners the right 1990s, the US has supported “The United States will con- tral tribunal’s award of July 12, Southeast Asia,” Kim said. to build a sustainable future,” he Philippine marine and biodi- tinue to support our Philippine 2016 in favour of the Philippines He said Filipino scientists stressed. versity conservation efforts. nited States ambassa- friends, partners and allies in “represents a victory, not just for “believe some of the species Kim said the US supported the “Our P1.3bn five-year Fish dor to Manila Sung Kim conserving the rich marine bio- the Philippines, but for the en- unique to these waters may Philippine Coast Guard capacity Right project works along- Usaid Washington stands diversity that make this island tire community of consistently also hold the key to biomedical to defend its waters by supplying side Philippine partners to alongside the Philippines in nation so special,” Kim said in a law-abiding nations.” breakthroughs, while climate expert training and new equip- strengthen the sustainable use upholding a rules-based order statement. He said under the 2016 Arbi- researchers can study ecosystem ment. of critical coastal and marine that ensures sovereign, sustain- He stressed that the South tral Tribunal Award, which is fi - changes to measure human im- The US, he said, is “commit- resources to benefit more than able and productive access to the China Sea was “home to a diz- nal and legally binding, the Phil- pact on the environment.” ted to fl y, sail, and operate wher- 2mn people,” South China Sea (West Philip- zying array of marine resources, ippines enjoys sovereign rights Kim said American scientists ever international law allows, He said when the pandemic pine Sea) and its resources. ranging from vast oil and gas re- and jurisdiction with respect to and innovators “are eager to join and will continue to defend the threatened marine livelihoods, He reiterated the US’ com- serves deep beneath the surface the natural resources in its EEZ their Filipino colleagues in re- right of freedom of navigation Fish Right helped develop Fish mitment to uphold the sover- to the complex and beautiful in the West Philippine Sea. searching these waters to build in international waters and air- Tiangge, an online marketplace eign rights of all states that have ecosystems capable of support- “Why is this important? Here US ambassador Sung Kim. a sustainable maritime frame- ways.” connecting buyers and 6,000 overlapping claims in the dis- ing international seafood mar- in the Philippines, the West work — one that protects the Kim noted that earlier this fisherfolk in three of the Phil- puted South China Sea “regard- kets and unravelling scientifi c Philippine Sea epitomises the said. Beijing’s harassment of West Philippine Sea’s rich and month, the Ronald Reagan Car- ippines’ most important areas less of size, power and military mysteries.” rich marine diversity of this Philippine fi sheries and off shore irreplaceable biodiversity while rier Strike Group conducted for marine biodiversity. capabilities.” “This is the patrimony of country,” he said. energy development within ensuring new generations ben- dual-carrier operations with American companies also Secretary of State Michael southeast Asian nations, the In its waters, scientists have those areas is unlawful, as are efi t from its bounty and wonder.” the Ronald Reagan and Theod- contributed to the initiative, Pompeo had earlier said Wash- lifeblood of their coastal com- discovered hundreds of species any unilateral Chinese action to “Marine conservation begins ore Roosevelt aircraft carriers, with Bloomberg Philanthrop- ington “rejects” China’s mari- munities, and the livelihood of of fi sh, coral, seagrass, and other exploit those resources. with securing territorial integ- “demonstrating US commit- ies’ global development alliance time claims within the Philip- millions of their citizens,” the marine life existing in interde- “These habitats not only rity; when any nation uses coer- ment to mutual defence agree- promoting marine conservation pines’ exclusive economic zone US’ top diplomat in the Philip- pendent systems that teach us provide the fi sh that fi ll Fili- cion, subversion, disinformation ments and promoting peace and sustainable fi shing in more (EEZ) or continental shelf and pines said. about the planet’s complex- pino fi shing vessels (and Fili- and other underhanded tactics and prosperity throughout the than 150,000 hectares of bio- claims in waters beyond 12 nau- Kim echoed the recent state- ity, fragility, and resilience, Kim pino plates), they also serve as to further its position in the Indo-Pacific.” logically signifi cant waters. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, July 19, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Nature-led Covid recovery: new hope for global economy

Tackling the global crisis through a nature-led coronavirus recovery could create 400mn jobs and $10tn in business value each year by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum. The report warns that when the world recovers from the coronavirus pandemic there can be no business-as-usual, with today’s destruction of the natural world threatening over half of global GDP. In 2019, scientists warned that human society was in jeopardy from the accelerating decline of the Earth’s natural life-support systems. Many high-level observers, including economists, health Keep borders open professionals, climate experts, and developing countries, have urged governments and business to pursue a green By Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg 40% of the value of an imported car be policymakers’ past failures to address effi cient. But it will help to preserve New Haven produced by workers who earn at least adverse eff ects satisfactorily. peace and stability – arguably their recovery but largely focused on tackling the climate $16 per hour. In developing countries, by contrast, most precious achievement over the emergency. This is not to give climate-change growth and effi ciency remain important past 70 years. “Nature loss is a planetary emergency. Humanity has ntil recently, we were mitigation or worker protections short requisites for poverty reduction and Third, advanced economies benefit already wiped out 83% of wild mammals and half of all regularly confronted shrift. But protectionist measures like development. A recent paper that from openness in other ways besides plants and severely altered three-quarters of ice-free land with images of drowned these will have no material impact on I co-authored shows that nothing incremental efficiency gains. For these important issues, and will hurt contributes to sustainable poverty example, Germany’s largely export- and two-thirds of marine environments. One million species Umigrants fl oating in the waters separating poorer countries developing countries in their current reduction more than trade, especially based economic model depends are at risk of extinction in the coming decades – a rate tens from richer ones, from the Rio Grande hour of need. when it is conducted with richer on purchasing power in the rest of to hundreds of times higher than the average over the past to the Mediterranean. And although One of the best ways for advanced countries. the world. With Africa projected to 10mn years,” World Economic Forum noted. Covid-19 now dominates the news, the economies to help poorer countries There are several other reasons why account for more than one-quarter WEF, which brings together leaders and hosts the annual pandemic’s economic fallout is likely to is to keep their borders open. In the advanced economies have an interest of the world’s population by 2050, exacerbate the global inequalities that short term, public-health risks may in helping developing countries. For increasing its citizens’ purchasing Davos summit, said three sectors were responsible for drive migration. necessitate draconian measures to starters, current demographic and wealth power is good not only for the endangering 80% of threatened species – food and land use, Many developing countries have so prevent the coronavirus from entering imbalances between rich and poor regions continent, but also for Germany and infrastructure and building, and energy and mining. But it far weathered the pandemic relatively a country from abroad. But in the seem unsustainable in the long run. The other Western economies. said these sectors also had the most to gain from a nature- well in public-health terms, but they long run, developed countries should median age in Africa is 18; in Europe, it Similarly, it is not clear whether led recovery. cannot avoid its economic spillovers. discourage restrictions on trade and is 42, and 35 in North America. Africa’s America’s dynamism and innovation More than ever, poorer countries immigration and encourage capital population is growing by 2.5% per year, would have been possible without “We are reaching need the support and co-operation of fl ows to economies that need them the meaning that it will double by 2050; immigration. About one-quarter of “We are irreversible tipping points advanced economies. But the developed most. annual population growth in Europe all US technology and engineering for nature and climate. world, overwhelmed by its own But why should rich countries help? and North America is 0.06% and 0.6%, startups established between 2006 reaching If recovery eff orts do not problems, is turning inward. Moral arguments aside, why should respectively. And average nominal GDP and 2012 had at least one immigrant address the looming planetary Examples of the new policy they not put their own interests fi rst, per capita in Africa in 2019 was about co-founder, while immigrants to irreversible environment abound. In the United especially given the domestic challenges $1,900, compared to $29,000 in Europe the US are almost twice as likely to crises, a critical window States, the current administration they currently face? and $49,000 in North America. become entrepreneurs as native-born tipping points of opportunity to avoid recently suspended new H-1B visas for At fi rst glance, textbook economics Vast inequality is nothing new. But citizens. Many other countries exhibit their worst impact will be skilled foreign workers until the end of seems to provide the answer: the point in today’s increasingly interconnected a similar pattern. for nature and irreversibly lost. Decisions on 2020, and, until forced to backtrack, of trade is not to help your trading world, the global poor have access to Finally, many people in advanced how to deploy the post-Covid was threatening to deport international partner, but to help yourself. When information as never before. No matter economies would like to see a fairer, climate” crisis stimulus packages will students who do not attend in-person countries specialise in what they do how high the rich world builds its walls, more equal world in which a person’s classes this autumn. Meanwhile, best, they produce more effi ciently, and how many migrant drownings it is fate is not determined by where they likely shape societies and European Union policymakers boasted resulting in increased output, more willing to tolerate, desperate people will were born – just as it should not be economies for decades,” wrote The Guardian. that the bloc’s ambitious Covid-19 variety, better quality, and lower prices. keep searching for a better life. Helping determined by their gender, race, The World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Risks Report stimulus package would be fi nanced All countries gain. Trade is not a zero- poorer countries to lift themselves out religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. ranks biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as one of in line with a progressive European sum game. And a similar logic applies to of poverty is the obvious way to ease this Those trying to build a better world the top fi ve threats humanity will face in the next 10 years. economic vision. But it includes carbon immigration. pressure. should therefore make it a priority to border taxes that will be anything but Appealing as this argument may be, Second, as Montesquieu and Adam support the global poor, and not just Human societies and economies rely on biodiversity in progressive, falling disproportionately it has lost its power in recent years. Smith pointed out in the eighteenth the disadvantaged within their own fundamental ways. on developing countries with lower Decades of hyper-globalisation have century, trade and peace reinforce each country. And there is no more eff ective Its research shows that $44tn of economic value environmental standards. made advanced economies highly other. In the twentieth century, the way to help them than by keeping generation – over half the world’s total GDP – is moderately It is hard to imagine a more self- effi cient, but this openness has also establishment of the European Coal and borders open. - Project Syndicate or highly dependent on nature and its services. Nature righteous justifi cation of protectionism. caused disruption. Some now argue Steel Community, and subsequently Perhaps its only parallel is the US that the incremental effi ciency the EU, underpinned democracy and z Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, loss matters for most businesses – through impacts on administration’s assertion that gains that advanced economies may peace in Europe as much as it did a former World Bank Group chief operations, supply chains, and markets. prioritising “the dignity of work” lay achieve by further integrating with economic prosperity. Promoting trade economist and editor-in-chief of the We have the power to change this. Humanity urgently behind the requirement in the new developing countries are not worth the with developing countries may not American Economic Review, is Professor needs to rethink its relationship with nature, in order to halt US-Mexico-Canada Agreement that associated disruption – especially given make advanced economies much more of Economics at Yale University. and reverse the alarming degradation of the natural world. Business leaders have a crucial role to play, by putting nature at the core of their processes and decision-making and systematically identifying, assessing, mitigating and disclosing nature-related risks to avoid severe consequences. Businesses can be part of the global movement to protect and restore nature. Despite an increasing focus on nature loss, there is still a limited understanding of why it matters to businesses and what the private sector can practically do about it. The World Economic Forum said it is launching a series of New Nature Economy (NNE) reports in 2020, making the business and economic case for safeguarding nature. It aims to catalyse public-private momentum in 2020, with a focus on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s milestone summit (COP15) in Kunming, China, and the related Business for Nature mobilisation.

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A commercial truck heads for the Ambassador Bridge, during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, at the international border crossing, which connects with © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Windsor, Ontario, in Detroit, Michigan, US, on March 18. Gulf Times Sunday, July 19, 2020 19 COMMENT Has Big Pharma fi nally stepped up?

By Jim O’Neill to bring new treatments from start to pharmaceutical companies still need London fi nish. to clarify precisely what they will use In the years immediately the Fund for, in terms of their own following the publication of the contributions to the fight against arlier this month, the Review’s fi nal recommendations, AMR and other collective challenges. International Federation of considerable funding fl owed into It is still early days, and we do not Pharmaceutical Manufacturers early-stage initiatives, most of it yet know precisely how the Fund E& Associations (IFPMA) from governments and not-for- will be administered. At a minimum, launched a nearly $1bn AMR profi t organisations. Total fi nancial the corporate contributions made (antimicrobial resistance) Action commitments were on track to so far undoubtedly represent a new Fund to support the development of reach the Review’s recommended commitment from an industry that I desperately needed new antibiotics. target of $2bn over fi ve years. The have long criticised for not stepping Many of the world’s largest problem, as the experience of the past up. Big Pharma is demonstrating that pharmaceutical companies, as well as 18 months has shown, is that such it is prepared to take a more active role the Wellcome Trust and the European funding addresses only the “push” in bringing new antibiotics to market. Investment Bank, have signed on to the side of the equation. Without the Another promising sign is the initiative, which was announced via additional “pull” incentives, early- proposed US Pioneering Antimicrobial a globally co-ordinated presentation stage innovation does not necessarily Subscriptions to End Upsurging broadcast simultaneously from Europe translate into full-blown development Resistance (PASTEUR) Act, which and the United States. and production. would establish a framework for The IFPMA’s members and Under these conditions, most of reimbursing (up to a certain point) the representatives are voicing their the smaller and emerging specialist makers of new antibiotics. If the law concern about the deepening biotech firms have struggled even to passes, it would represent a signifi cant scarcity of effective antibiotics survive. A new AMR Fund could offer development in itself, but it would in the face of resistant and novel a lifeline to smaller firms working on also place additional pressure on other pathogens. In a Financial Times critical research and development. countries – in Europe and also in Asia commentary to promote the new From what I understand, one of the – to follow suit. fund, Emma Walmsley, the CEO fund’s primary objectives will be to On that note, a fi nal encouraging of GlaxoSmithKline, cites findings support research into treatments sign is that Emer Cooke, the incoming from the United Kingdom’s 2014-16 for novel pathogens. Yet, as matters executive director of the European Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, stand, the IFPMA’s announcement Medical Association, has committed which I chaired. As we warned then, has not been interpreted as a game to make AMR a major priority. Other if the problem isn’t addressed, changer, at least judging by the European policymakers should join her the AMR death toll by 2050 could share prices of publicly traded by launching initiatives to establish reach 10mn per year, resulting in firms engaged in this small area of stronger pull incentives for companies cumulative economic losses of research. within their remit. $100tn. Moreover, the original Review When the Covd-19 pandemic fi rst Given the scale of the AMR crisis, estimated that around $20bn would seized the world’s attention, it wasn’t the IFPMA’s latest move is certainly be needed over the next decade to clear to me whether it would help or welcome. But whether it represents a fi nance a new generation of treatments hinder the fi ght against AMR. But now turning point remains to be seen. In the for the World Health Organisation’s that many governments, businesses, AMR Review, we pointed out that more designated “priority pathogens.” Such that are not. Who will complete the treatments from Big Pharma. clinical trials, and then made available and other organisations are embracing funding is needed at all stages of the fi nancing, we noted, could come from work that these and other smaller It remains to be seen how eff ective for people (and animals) all over the the spirit of never letting a crisis go to antimicrobial development pipeline. governments or from the industry firms start? The Fund, as it has the initiative will be. A crucial test world. waste, one hopes that the IFPMA’s new For example, at the earliest stage, there itself, provided that the incentives are been presented so far, does not will be to observe how the major One hopes that the Fund will initiative will not be the last. – Project clearly needed to be stronger “push” properly structured. appear to offer an answer to this pharmaceutical companies behave inaugurate an accelerated process Syndicate incentives to stimulate research and Participants in the new AMR question. Without significant new when it becomes clear that the Fund for solving a dangerous and chronic innovation. But there also need to Fund include some of the few pull incentives from governments, is supporting a particularly attractive market failure. Policymakers z Jim O’Neill, a former chairman of be “pull” incentives (rewards for pharmaceutical companies that are the Fund will be dependent on new treatment. For the system to work, will need to do their part to Goldman Sachs Asset Management and outcomes), such as market-entry active in the full development-and- new commitments to undertake new drugs need to be brought through create a supportive environment a former UK Treasury Minister, is Chair inducements or volume guarantees production pipeline, but also some the full process of developing new all of the stages of preclinical and for innovation, and the big of Chatham House.

Three-day forecast

World population in 2100 could TODAY Maximum Temperature : 420c Minimum Temperature : 330c

MONDAY Maximum Temperature : 400c be 2bn below UN projections Minimum Temperature : 330c TUESDAY Maximum Temperature : 410c AFP and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of 140mn today to 866mn. economy globally, while Nigeria – current- Paris Washington, told AFP. Sharp declines in the number and ly 28th – is projected to crack the top 10. Minimum Temperature : 340c “However, most countries outside of proportion of the working-age population “By the end of the century, the world Fisherman's forecast Africa will see shrinking workforces and will also pose huge challenges in many will be multipolar, with India, Nigeria, arth will be home to 8.8bn souls in inverting population pyramids, which will countries. China and the United States the dominant WARNING 2100, 2bn fewer than current UN have profound negative consequences for “Societies will struggle to grow with powers,” said Richard Horton, describing Inshore : Nil projections, according to a major the economy.” fewer workers and taxpayers,” noted Stein the study as outlining “radical shifts in Offshore : Nil study published on Wednesday For high-income countries in this Emil Vollset, a professor at the IHME. geopolitical power.” E WEATHER that foresees new global power alignments category, the best solutions for sustaining The number of people of working age Until now, the United Nations – which Inshore : Hot daytime with scat- shaped by declining fertility rates and population levels and economic growth in China, for example, will plummet from forecasts 8.5, 9.7 and 10.9bn people in tered clouds and slight greying populations. will be fl exible immigration policies and about 950 million today to just over 350mn 2030, 2050 and 2100, respectively – has dust at times, relatively humid by night By century’s end, 183 of 195 countries – social support for families who want chil- by the end of the century – a 62% drop. virtually had a monopoly in projecting barring an infl ux of immigrants – will have dren, the study concluded. The decline in India is projected to be global population. WIND fallen below the replacement threshold “However, in the face of declining less steep, from 762 to 578mn. The diff erence between the UN and Inshore : Northeasterly-North- needed to maintain population levels, an population there is a very real danger that In Nigeria, by contrast, the active labour IHME fi gures hinges crucially on fertility westerly 05-15/18 KT international team of researchers reported some countries might consider policies force will expand from 86mn today to more rates. The so-called “replacement rate” for Offshore : Northeasterly-South- in The Lancet. that restrict access to reproductive health than 450mn in 2100. a stable population is 2.1 births per woman. easterly 05-15/19 KT More than 20 countries – including Ja- services, with potentially devastating These tectonic shifts will also reshuffl e UN calculations assume that countries Visibility : 4-8 KM pan, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Portugal, South consequences,” Murray cautioned. the pecking order in terms of economic with low fertility today will see those rates Offshore : 2-4/5 FT Korea and Poland – will see their numbers “It is imperative that women’s freedom clout, the researchers forecast. increase, on average, to about 1.8 children diminish by at least half. and rights are at the top of every govern- By 2050, China’s gross domestic prod- per woman over time, said Murray. China’s will fall nearly that much, from ment’s development agenda.” uct will overtake that of the United States, “Our analysis suggests that as women 1.4bn people today to 730mn in 80 years. Social services and healthcare systems but fall back into second place by 2100, become more educated and have access to Around the region Sub-Saharan Africa, meanwhile, will need to be overhauled to accommodate they predict. reproductive health services, they choose Weather Weather will triple in size to some 3bn people, much older populations. India’s GDP will rise to take the number to have less than 1.5 children on average,” Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min with Nigeria alone expanding to almost As fertility falls and life expectancy in- three spot, while Japan, Germany, France he explained by e-mail. Baghdad Sunny 47/28 Sunny 48/31 800mn in 2100, second only to India’s creases worldwide, the number of children and the UK will stay among the world’s 10 “Continued global population growth Kuwait City Sunny 47/35 Sunny 47/34 1.1bn. under fi ve is forecast to decline by more largest economies. through the century is no longer the most Manama Sunny 41/33 Sunny 41/33 “These forecasts suggest good news than 40%, from 681mn in 2017 to 401mn Brazil is projected to fall in ranking from likely trajectory for the world’s popula- Muscat Sunny 34/29 M Sunny 33/31 for the environment, with less stress on in 2100, the study found. eighth today to 13th, and Russia from tion.” Tehran Sunny 37/26 Sunny 38/26 food production systems and lower carbon At the other end of the spectrum, the number 10th spot to 14th. Histori- Founded in 2007 and supported by emissions, as well as signifi cant economic 2.37bn people — more than a quarter of the cal powers Italy and Spain, meanwhile, the Bill and & Melinda Gates Foundation, opportunity for parts of sub-Saharan global population — will be over 65 years decline from the top 15 to 25th and 28th, the IHME had become a global reference Africa,” lead author Christopher Murray, old by then. respectively. for health statistics, especially its annual director of the Institute for Health Metrics Those over 80 will balloon from about Indonesia could become the 12th largest Global Burden of Disease reports.

Live issues

Effi cient cooling seen as key to keeping climate change in check Around the world Weather Weather Today Max/min Tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 32/21 Sunny 32/22 By Thin Lei Win The United Nations report said that second on top of an estimated 3.6 billion without the corresponding rise in emis- Rome while cooling devices like air condition- that are currently in use, the report said. sions, like India, China and Rwanda have Beirut Sunny 28/24 Sunny 29/26 ers and refrigerators are crucial to human It also said phasing out climate-warming done, Zaelke said. Bangkok P Cloudy 34/27 M Cloudy 34/28 health and the global economy, emissions refrigerant gases known as hydrofl uorocar- Others like Ghana have banned “zom- Berlin M Sunny 27/16 P Cloudy 28/17 fter enduring the hottest decade from the fossil fuels used to power them bons (HFCs) could help the world avoid up bie” appliances – cheap, outdated fridges Cairo Sunny 36/23 Sunny 38/24 on record, India aims to keep could worsen climate change. to 0.4C of global warming by 2100. and air conditioners discarded mostly Cape Town Sunny 17/11 Sunny 18/10 its homes and workplaces “Doubling the energy effi ciency of the The diff erence is substantial in the from homes in Europe and then illegally Colombo P Cloudy 29/26 M Cloudy 29/26 cool without raising energy cooling equipment can save something like context of the 2015 Paris Agreement on resold that release HFCs. Dhaka T Storm 32/27 T Storm 32/27 A M Cloudy 31/27 M Cloudy 31/27 consumption with one simple change: 1,600 medium-sized power plants from climate change that aims to limit warm- Globally, more than 1bn people lack Hong Kong raising the temperature settings on air being built by 2030,” Durwood Zaelke, ing to 1.5C above pre-industrial times access to cooling, which puts their Istanbul Sunny 29/22 P Cloudy 28/21 conditioners. co-chair of the report’s steering committee, to prevent crises such as food and water health and safety at risk, and a further Jakarta M Sunny 32/24 I T Storms 32/24 The government has mandated a told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. shortages, rising seas and worsening 2.2bn are only able to aff ord cheaper, less Karachi M Sunny 37/29 P Cloudy 34/29 default temperature of 24 degrees Celsius “That’s a tremendous amount of weather events. energy-effi cient cooling, a separate report London P Cloudy 26/16 Showers 19/12 (75 degrees Fahrenheit) instead of the conventional and climate pollution you Better building design could also help by published on Thursday said. Manila P Cloudy 35/27 T Storm 33/27 standard 20-21C (68-70F) for units made can avoid,” said Zaelke, who heads the reducing consumption or the need for cool- Mobilising fi nance for the sector is cru- Moscow M Cloudy 21/13 S T Storms 22/14 or sold from the start of this year and Institute for Governance & Sustainable ing as well as create jobs, the report said. cial because while upfront costs might be New Delhi M Cloudy 35/28 M Cloudy 35/28 wants commercial buildings to keep air Development, a US think tank. For example, a clean white roof that high, energy effi cient technologies often New York Sunny 34/23 M Sunny 34/26 conditioning at that level. This should be a focus in post-pan- refl ects 80% of sunlight would stay about pay for themselves in savings within just a Paris M Sunny 29/16 M Sunny 30/16 The measure could cut national energy demic recovery plans, said the report, 30 degrees C cooler than a grey roof that couple of years, said Dreyfus. Sao Paulo Sunny 26/13 Sunny 26/13 consumption by 24% for households and which follows recent heatwaves in the refl ects only 20% of sunlight and well- “These technologies exist. Seoul M Cloudy 30/22 Rain 26/23 20% for businesses, according to Gabri- United States and Siberia. designed cities could save 25% of the We just need to put in place the policies Singapore S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms 30/26 elle Dreyfus, co-author of a report pub- As climate change brings ever-hotter energy used for heating and cooling. and mechanisms to make them more Sydney P Cloudy 16/07 P Cloudy 18/08 lished on Friday that called for a switch to days, worldwide demand for cooling appli- Another way is to develop national accessible to people.” – Thomson Reuters Tokyo Rain 26/21 Cloudy 30/21 more energy-effi cient cooling systems. ances is growing - by up to 10 devices every plans to address rising cooling needs but Foundation Gulf Times 20 Sunday, July 19, 2020 QATAR VCUarts Qatar alumni recreate a slice of Money

Heist – in Qatar Filming of the commercial. (Photo by Talha Belal) oredoo’s recent video ating story boards and propos- commercial based on als for a few clients. The clients ONetfl ix’s much-watched loved his work, so much so that series Money Heist has become within two years, Yuri had tran- a hit among viewers – and two sitioned into a full-fl edged writer alumni from Virginia Common- and director at The Film House. wealth University School of the The Ooredoo commercial’s Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a eye-catching costumes have Qatar Foundation partner uni- been another reason for its popu- versity, have played key roles in larity. Inspired by the iconic red its success. jumpsuits worn by the cast in the VCUarts Qatar’s Class of 2018 Netfl ix original, the wardrobe co-valedictorian Dimitri Yuri was developed by fashion design developed the script and directed alumna Khabab. the fi lming, while Class of 2016 Khabab had already completed alumna Saadia Khabab designed half a dozen projects with The the costumes for the cast. Film House, when she was ap- Prior to directing the commer- proached by the fi lming company cial, Yuri, who currently works with the request to design the at The Film House, the company costumes for the Ooredoo com- which produced the fi lm in part- mercial. nership with M&C Saatchi and “Being off ered the opportunity Ooredoo, had already established to design costumes that had such himself as a director among the popular references is a dream local fi lming fraternity – one Saadia Khabab Dimitri Yuri come true for any fashion stylist,” of the fi lms he directed, Falling says Khabab. “I was delighted, as Leaves was screened at the Ajyal “To be able to take inspiration alumnus. “I wanted to study them on short fi lms and other the show itself was a favourite of Film Festival in 2019, where it from a popular series such as something that would give me a media content.” mine. Costumes designed by Saadia Khabab for the Ooredoo commercial. won the Best Narrative Award in Money Heist and blend that with diff erent perspective of the world “Besides, I built up a network “For this specifi c project, the the Made in Qatar section. Ajyal Doha’s skyline, is a creative proc- in general – so that when I even- of friends – and future collabora- challenge wasn’t so much in de- most new fashion design gradu- my undergraduate studies had is the Arabic word for ‘genera- ess that most fi lmmakers dream tually started working in fi lms, I tors – across Education City. To- signing the costumes, as it was ates, she was keen to work with ingrained in me. My instructors tions’. of.” would have a diff erent interpre- day, if I have to work on a project in having the costumes ready a local or regional fashion brand. had emphasised the need for But, according to him, the Yuri – who was also the as- tation on a scene or story. Study- that requires the services of a amidst the pandemic-imposed After a stint as a freelancer for every detail – from the purpose Ooredoo commercial was excep- sistant director for Champions ing Art History seemed to be the graphic designer or a software restrictions. I still managed to various local fashion enterprises, of the design, through the tailor- tional – and not merely because of Hope, a short fi lm produced on best pathway for that.” developer or dubbing editor, I source the textiles and have them she received an opportunity to ing methods, to the way a gar- his crew were challenged by pan- the occasion of the inauguration Yuri adds that one of the bene- know exactly who to approach. tailored within the deadlines, and design costumes for Al Jazeera’s ment fi t the historical context – demic-imposed social restric- of Education City Stadium – was fi ts of studying at VCUarts Qatar That’s a tremendous advantage the cast were pleased when they TV series About Cinema. to be explored in depth. tions. barely 12 years old when he fi rst in Education City was the access that I wouldn’t have, had I stud- tried them on – they looked as if “The opportunity at Al Jazeera “I didn’t realise it then, but “When we shot the scene out- aspired to be a fi lmmaker. Yet, it gave him to students in other ied elsewhere.” they had stepped out of a Money took me back to my training in today I know for certain that side Ooredoo Tower, I remember when it came to choosing a major universities, “As it was clear that In fact, it was that network – Heist episode!” university,” she says. “My brief I would not have been able thinking to myself, ‘This is so at university, he opted to study I would be making fi lms, it helped an NU-Q alumna and friend of As she talks about her years was to design period costumes to traverse such a variety of cool; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime Art History. that I could make friends with his – which would help him land following university, Khabab says for the series. projects, had it not been for opportunity’,” says Yuri as he re- “Even before I joined VCUarts students at Northwestern Uni- a job as a project manager at The that costume design was hardly “Designing period costumes the rigorous mentoring – and calls the experience of fi lming the Qatar, I had my heart set on fi lm- versity in Qatar (NU-Q); I could Film House. A few months into on her mind when she graduated requires an immense amount of confi dence – that I received at commercial. making,” says the VCUarts Qatar discuss my ideas, and work with the job, though, he started cre- from VCUarts Qatar. Rather, like background research, a skill that VCUarts Qatar.” WCM-Q study helps shed light on Arabian horse’s genetic heritage

esearchers at Weill Cornell very proud to have been able to Medicine – Qatar (WCM- work with so many talented and RQ) have helped probe the dedicated researchers all over genetic diversity and origins of the world on this project, which the Arabian horse, prized all over underlines WCM-Q’s commit- the world for its beauty, grace and ment to pursuing projects at the athletic endurance. cutting edge of science that have Renowned for its ability to great local signifi cance, in line thrive in extremely hot, arid en- with the goals set out in Qatar vironments, the Arabian is the National Vision 2020. oldest recorded breed of horse, “We are also very grateful for with credible documentation the support this project received stretching back more than 2,000 from Qatar Foundation through years placing its development in Qatar National Research Fund, the Middle East. which made the research possi- Working in collaboration with ble.” an international team of fellow The study has a long list of researchers, scientists at WCM- co-authors, with contributors Q helped conduct a comprehen- from the University of Tehran, sive global sampling and analysis Iran; the University of Kentucky; of the genomes of 378 individual the University of Agriculture in Arabian horses in Qatar, Iran, Po- Kraków, Poland; the Hong Kong land, the US, Jordan, Kuwait, the Jockey Club; the Equine Veteri- UK, Australia, Denmark, Canada, nary Medical Center at Al Shaqab Egypt and the UAE. Blood and Scientists at WCM-Q helped conduct a comprehensive global sampling and analysis of the genomes of (a Qatar Foundation member) in hair samples were collected from 378 individual Arabian horses in 12 countries. Doha, Qatar; and the University the horses over an eight-year pe- of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, riod. 4-023 from the Qatar National endurance, as well as its unique ples was not that much Arabian Austria. Elissa Cosgrove from the The international team of sci- Research Fund, a member of appearance, with a dish-shaped ancestry was part of the Thor- Clark lab and Raheleh Sadeghi, entists was led by the University Qatar Foundation. The paper, facial profi le, wide-set eyes, an oughbred line, but the opposite: a visiting scientist from Iran in of Florida’s Samantha Brooks, a titled ‘Genome Diversity and the arched neck and a high tail car- that Thoroughbred DNA exists in the Antczak lab, shared fi rst co- UF/IFAS assistant professor of Origin of the Arabian Horse’ has riage. It has been exported from most of the modern racing Arabi- authorship of the study. animal sciences formerly based now been published in ‘Scientifi c its ancestral homeland for cen- an lines, indicating a more recent Dr Khaled Machaca, Profes- at Cornell University in Ithaca, Reports’, a journal from the ‘Na- turies, with some modern line- interbreeding within this group,” sor of Physiology and Biophys- New York; Doug Antczak, the ture’ series of publications. ages drawn strictly from these Brooks said. “I can’t speculate on ics and Senior Associate Dean for Dorothy Havemeyer McConville Brooks said: “The Arabian smaller genetic pools, giving the the how or why, but this is clearly Research, Innovations and Com- Professor of Equine Medicine at horse has a special mystique due breed a reputation for inbred dis- the story the DNA is telling us.” mercialisation at WCM-Q, said: the Baker Institute for Animal to the long recorded history of orders. While this was true for Another implication of this “It is extremely pleasing that the Health of Cornell University; the breed. Arabian horse breed- some groups they tested, Brooks study, Brooks said, is the poten- advanced capabilities in genomic and Andy Clark, the Jacob Gould ers, in particular, know their noted, they also found remark- tial to identify the genetic re- analysis that we have developed Schurman Professor in Cornell’s horse’s bloodlines many genera- able diversity when considering gions that determine some of the in the Biomedical Research Pro- department of molecular biology tions back. What we found was the breed as a whole. Arabian’s unique traits, like their gramme at WCM-Q allow us to and genetics. that in the area where this breed Brooks contrasted the discov- facial profi le. This could be ex- contribute to ground-breaking Researchers at WCM-Q, led by originates – likely the near East ery of more diverse populations panded to identify the marker for international projects such as Dr Joel Malek, Associate Profes- region, but we don’t know ex- with the samples they received other horse breeds’ head shapes, this one. The Arabian horse is sor of Genetic Medicine, used the actly – there’s a healthy level of from racing Arabians. Another for example. truly a majestic creature and it college’s state-of-the-art equip- diversity. This is particularly evi- longstanding myth says that the Dr Joel Malek of WCM-Q said: is wonderful to be able to shed ment and expertise to assist with dent in populations from Bahrain Arabian contributed genetically “It was extremely gratifying to light on its genetic heritage in the sequencing of the horse DNA. and Syria, which suggests these to the modern Thoroughbred, be part of this fascinating and this way.” The study was made possible by are some pretty old populations.” but the racing Arabians’ DNA interesting research about the The study can be read in full at: Breeders prize the Arabian horse for characteristics like heat tolerance National Priorities Research Pro- The horse is prized for charac- told a diff erent story. iconic Arabian horse, which is so https://www.nature.com/arti- and endurance, as well as its uniquely graceful appearance. gramme (NPRP) grant 6-1303- teristics like heat tolerance and “What we found in these sam- important to this region. We are cles/s41598-020-66232-1